Simon Levy, 40, left the rape victim for dead in January last year before going on to kill Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, two months later and 39-year-old Sheryl Wilkins five months after that in August 2025. The Old Bailey heard how the Metropolitan Police closed the rape investigation without formally interviewing the woman and arrested Levy, who was already on the sex offenders' register, over the first murder but released him under investigation. By the time of the second murder he had also been arrested three times by the British Transport Police (BTP) over a string of sexual assaults on London's public transport network, but was first granted police bail, then twice bailed by magistrates despite being charged with multiple serious offences. Levy failed to attend his crown court hearing just 13 days before he killed Ms Wilkins - but the Crown Prosecution Service did not apply for an arrest warrant after his lawyers said he had a mental health issue. After his first arrest in November 2024, BTP handed back a stolen bus driver's Oyster card, which allowed free travel, and was used by Levy to get to and from the scene of the first murder. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has apologised for its failings, while the Met has referred itself to the police watchdog to investigate if more should have been done to stop Levy. Levy, who did not give evidence at his trial, denied two counts of murder as well as two charges of rape, grievous bodily harm with intent, and non-fatal suffocation against the surviving woman. Wearing sunglasses in the dock, after losing sight in his right eye, he showed no emotion as the verdicts were read out, while members of both murder victims' families wept and held hands in the well of the court. Levy could face a whole life term when he is sentenced next Wednesday. Attacks on vulnerable women Prosecutor Tom Little KC told a jury Levy carried out a "series of attacks on vulnerable women", and that he "killed two women and left the third for dead". All three were sex workers. He said both murders were sexually motivated and a document found on Levy's computer entitled "my sex record" revealed his "attitude to women". Levy lived in "a world of sex offending, a world of rape, strangulation, suffocation, violence and also dishonesty", Mr Little said. It can now be reported that Levy was jailed earlier this year for six years, with a three-year extended licence period, after he was found guilty of 11 counts of sexual assault between 14 April 2022 and 29 May 2025. The first victim was a prison officer at HMP Brixton in 2022, where Levy was serving a three-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting one woman at a party and another at Notting Hill carnival in 2018. He had been jailed for three years in September 2021 over the 2018 attacks and was released from prison in February 2023. But Levy was recalled to prison in May the following year after being arrested on suspicion of rape, although the case was closed due to a lack of evidence and he was again freed at the end of his licence period in August 2024. Prosecutor Will Martin told his Inner London Crown Court trial: "Levy's desire to assault women seems to be on the verge of compulsive or pathological." Attacked 10 women on busy trains Levy sexually assaulted 10 women on busy rush-hour underground or overground trains between 24 October 2023 and 29 May 2025. Judge Martin Evans KC said he carried out "a deliberate, persistent and carefully orchestrated campaign of targeted assaults on women" over a three-year period. He was first arrested by the British Transport Police on 4 November 2024 over one of the attacks, but granted police bail, while a "bus operator" Oyster card in his possession was returned to him after officers did not realise it was lost or stolen. An identity parade was not arranged until February 2025. 'I never thought this man would be so evil' The Old Bailey heard Levy raped the surviving woman, who cannot be identified because she is the victim of a sexual offence, in a car park near his home in Tottenham, north London, on 21 January last year. She told police: "I never thought this man would be so evil," after she was left with a broken collarbone when Levy bore down on her with all his weight. The woman first made the allegations to the Met after she was arrested for an unrelated matter days later - including a description of Levy and where he lived - but was withdrawing from drugs and deemed unfit for interview. She was arrested again in May 2025, but released before she could be questioned, and spoken to by another officer later that month, but the investigation was dropped in June without her being formally interviewed. Two months after the rape, on 17 March, Ms Valencia-Trujillo's body was found in the stairwell of Wendover House, a large, mostly condemned block of flats in Southwark, south-east London. Levy, whose DNA was found on her body, was arrested in possession of the Oyster card, which he had used to travel to the scene and interviewed by the Met on 1 April - but released under investigation while one of seven suspects. He was then arrested by the BTP on 1 May last year, when the card - last used on 16 June last year - was again returned to him. Courts granted bail Levy was charged with five sexual offences and police asked prosecutors to apply for remand, telling them he was also accused of rape and murder. But he was granted bail at Highbury Magistrates' Court, which had been agreed by the CPS, including a condition not to travel on public transport during rush hours. Levy was charged with a further offence, then arrested the following month again and charged with two more counts, but was bailed by the same court on 21 June after prosecutors applied for remand. The CPS now accepts not all relevant information was put before the court. He failed to attend a plea and case management hearing at Inner London Crown Court on 11 August but no arrest warrant was sought - despite him not attending two previous hearings. Levy went on to murder Ms Wilkins in the same location as the January rape in the early hours of 24 August. CCTV footage shown to the jury captured the last moment she was seen alive, walking behind a wall in the service yard of the B&M car park with Levy, who is wearing a dark hooded top and sunglasses. CCTV showing Simon Levy with Sheryl Wilkins the last time she was seen alive: Police used live facial recognition technology to identify Levy, who was arrested on 3 September last year and remanded in custody after being charged with the murders and rape. Speaking outside the Old Bailey flanked by members of the victims' families, Met Detective Chief Inspector Neil John said: "Simon Levy is a dangerous and predatory offender. His crimes were calculated, cruel and deeply disturbing." The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it is investigating the management of Levy from his first conviction in 2021 up to his arrest in September 2025, while two Met Police officers are currently under investigation. 'Sorry for shortcomings' Lisa Ramsarran, CPS Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: "We recognise the level of concern around this case and we have carried out a detailed review of our handling. We accept there was relevant information regarding bail that was not provided to the court, when bail applications were being considered. "Our actions fell short of the standards that victims, families and the public are entitled to expect. In particular, there were points where we could and should have taken a more robust approach to representations about bail, based on the information available. "We cannot know what decisions the courts would have made had different or stronger representations been advanced. But we recognise our responsibility and we are sorry for the shortcomings we have identified." BTP said the initial investigating officer has since returned to uniformed duties, while the supervising Detective Sergeant received advice and guidance and carries out a non-investigative role. The force's Assistant Chief Constable Charlie Doyle called for any other victims to come forward. "It is clear that opportunities to expedite the investigation were missed and we have amended our procedures to address these issues to ensure that repeat offenders are dealt with expeditiously, and that linked offences are prioritised more effectively," he said. Policing minister Sarah Jones described the case as "horrifying" and commended "the survivor who bravely came forward and helped bring this monster to justice". "The fact that Levy was able to inflict such devastating harm after being freed by police and the courts is deeply concerning. It raises serious questions that require urgent answers," she added.

The Grammy winner died at home on 23 July, his family and friends announced in a statement on his Instagram page "We are deeply saddened by his passing," the statement said. "He will be greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched through his music, friendship and kindness. "We kindly ask that the privacy of William's family and close friends is respected during this difficult time." Orbit produced Madonna's 1998 album Ray Of Light, a move into electronica and trip-hop for the US singer, which included hits such as Frozen and The Power Of Goodbye, as well as the titular track. He also worked with the star on her 1999 single Beautiful Stranger, from the second Austin Powers film, and her next album, Music, in 2000. For Blur, he produced the 1999 album 13, which saw the band take a darker lyrical turn and produced hit singles such as Tender and Coffee & TV. Orbit also took his ethereal sound to All Saints, to chart-toppers Pure Shores and Black Coffee in 2000, and worked on Spice Girl Mel C's 1999 debut solo album, Northern Star. Of his solo output, he was best known for his electronic version of Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings, and the trance remix released in 1999. 'A true visionary' Ferry Corsten, the DJ behind the trance version, was among those paying tribute on Instagram, writing: "William was a true visionary. "I had the privilege of working with him on Barber's Adagio For Strings in 1999 - a moment that changed my career and opened many doors in electronic music. I'll always be grateful for his trust and inspiration. Rest in peace, William. Your music will live on forever." All Saints songwriter Shaznay Lewis shared a broken heart emoji, while Mel C wrote: "Such an honour to have worked with this great man. Sending all my love." Orbit produced 12 solo studio albums in total, largely of electronic music, and was also a member of the groups Bassomatic and Torch Song. Singer Sonique, best known for her 2000 chart-topper It Feels So Good, collaborated with Bassomatic in the 1990s. "He was one of the first people I ever worked with," she wrote. "I am so sad to hear this. Sending all my love to his family. RIP my friend." Singer Katy B also paid tribute, saying: "I remember going to William's studio many years ago, I was so nervous but he was so warm and unassuming and genuinely curious about me and my music I still remember how welcome I felt . What an amazing legacy and major loss." DJ and producer Darren Emerson, formerly of Underworld, said he was "absolutely gutted" to hear of Orbit's death, and recalled a story of Orbit asking him whether he should perform Frozen with Madonna on the National Lottery programme, or if it was "uncool". "I just laughed and told him that maybe it was better he did and that I very much doubted it would be a bad thing to do... especially as the music he made with Madonna was amazing," Emerson said. "It was a pleasure to work with one of the best producers I've known. You'll be sadly missed mate, and your music will always shine bright." Read more from Sky News:US court blocks Trump's $400m White House ballroomOasis promoter granted Knebworth licence Orbit also worked with Britney Spears and Will.i.am on the 2013 album Britney Jean, and produced a 2014 version of the Freddie Mercury solo track There Must Be More to Life Than This, which featured Michael Jackson using archive vocals, and Queen. His awards included two Grammys for Ray Of Light - best pop album and best dance recording - and one for best song written for visual media for Beautiful Stranger. He was also nominated for Grammys for his work on Pink's song Feel Good Time, as well as his own 2000 album Pieces In A Modern Style, and for record of the year for Ray Of Light.

It comes following a draft set of alcohol policies, published by the council, which encouraged venues to prioritise sitting areas over standing space in a bid to discourage so-called "vertical drinking". Politics Hub: Follow the latest However, Paul Swaddle, the Conservative leader of Westminster City Council, said "there is no plan" to stop standing-up drinking in his borough. Mr Swaddle said the policies are currently out for public consultation, with the survey due to close on Sunday. A No 10 spokesperson said: "Busy pubs full of people talking to each other is not a public nuisance, it is British life and it is thousands of jobs." They said that new licensing powers would be devolved to the mayor of London to help provide support to the city's pubs and nightlife. "Soho did not become world famous by taking last orders early, switching the lights off at 10 o'clock," the spokesperson added. "The prime minister encourages local leaders to work with the industry so that pubs can continue to thrive." PM 'a defender' of pubs Andy Burnham has previously vowed to be "a defender" for British pubs and recently announced plans to cut business rates by 20% for pubs, clubs and live music venues across England from April next year. The prime minister described pubs as being "at the heart of high streets" and said it was "really important to signal" at the start of his premiership that he would support them. Mr Burnham insisted he would "speak up for them and act". Included in Westminster City Council's draft statement of licensing policy is an intention to "discourage excessive drunkenness and encourage the provision of more seating in premises that serve alcohol for people to sit and enjoy a drink and order food by table service in place of open bar space that caters for high-volume vertical drinking". One proposed policy is to "normally refuse" pub, bar, fast food or music venue licences in an area known as the West End cumulative impact zone – the area roughly between Oxford Street and Trafalgar Square, including Leicester Square and Soho. "The introduction of measures to reduce the extent of, or to remove opportunities for, vertical drinking could address the underlying reasons for the policy," the document reads. 'We don't need lectures' Mr Swaddle said he wanted "to be straight with people" and accused the press of writing "confusing stories" about what the document meant. He said: "There is no plan, and never has been, to ban drinking while standing up in a Westminster pub." Read more from Sky News:Reality TV star jailedFarmer gets life for murder Mr Swaddle also hit back at London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, who criticised the proposals on social media, writing: "You can't run a world-famous nightlife district with a village-hall mindset." The council leader said: "We don't need lectures from City Hall on backing hospitality when they have directed the police to object to every new licence application as their solution to curbing crime in the West End." He added: "Growth is central to everything this administration is doing. That means backing our hospitality sector, not making things harder for them." Business owners have also criticised the proposals, with one owner of a venue in Soho telling the Press Association that "we rely on those people standing up with the rents and the rates put upon us". Meanwhile, a Conservative Party spokesperson said: "Standing inside or outside a pub with a pint in hand is a British tradition." They also called for Westminster City Council to strike a balance between the nighttime economy and concerns from neighbours, adding: "We hope the council's consultation will recognise its importance whilst addressing any particular local issues in crowded late-night locations."

However, Sky Sports News understands that there is a significant gap in valuation between the two clubs. The Champions League holders value the 23-year-old at £145m. PSG's stance on the fee makes it a difficult deal to complete at this stage. Transfer Centre LIVE! | Liverpool news & transfers🔴Liverpool fixtures & scores | FREE Liverpool highlights▶️Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺 The Reds have also held preliminary talks with Barcola's representatives. Barcola is not the only PSG winger Liverpool are interested in, with Andoni Iraola's side having explored the conditions of a deal for Ibrahim Mbaye. The 18-year-old, who predominantly plays off the right, is believed to be interested in moving to Anfield. Their interest in the teenager is completely independent of any potential move for Barcola, who has been on Liverpool's radar for a number of years. It is possible that Liverpool could sign Mbaye and another more experienced option. Liverpool are planning to have five wingers at the end of the window, with an additional one being a younger player they want to develop. Liverpool move appeals to Barcola Iraola sees his wide men as being key to his philosophy, which is why this area of the squad is the big focus in his first window on Merseyside, especially after the exit of Mohamed Salah. Barcola has two years left on his PSG contract and has indicated he will not be signing a new one amid frustrations at a lack of game time. The opportunity to join Liverpool is said to appeal to the France international. The key to getting any deal moving will be PSG's willingness to reduce the price tag on the man they bought for around £40m from Lyon in the summer of 2023. The success of Iraola's teams at Bournemouth and Rayo Vallecano centred around the pace, energy and work-rate from his wingers, so Barcola could be a key piece of the Spaniard's new Liverpool jigsaw. The fact that Barcola has won nine major trophies in the last two years, including two Champions League titles, shows the calibre of player they are trying to bring to Anfield. Arsenal, who missed out on signing Vinicius Junior following his Real Madrid contract extension, also hold an interest in Barcola.

The federal appeals court ordered the Trump administration to stop ‌construction of the ballroom on the site of the White House's demolished East Wing. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump described the ballroom as "desperately needed", "totally secure" and said it was being built "ahead of schedule and under budget". He said the court had "refused to acknowledge" the ballroom "is a gift from President Trump and Great Patriots of the United States of America". "There will be no expense to the American taxpayer," he claimed, adding: "This unjust decision must be overturned by the Supreme Court in its entirety." Mr Trump has previously said the construction of the ballroom would be funded by $400m in private donations. But Senate Republicans have sought $1bn (£750m) in taxpayer funding for security upgrades to the ballroom and other structures beneath it. Democrats have criticised the project as expensive, frivolous and diverting federal resources that could be instead focused on helping Americans with rising costs. On Friday, the Washington-based US Court of Appeals for the District of ​Columbia Circuit upheld a preliminary injunction won by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Last year the non-profit organisation sued ​after the Trump administration tore down the East Wing and began building ‌a 90,000 sq ft (8,360-square-meter) ballroom without authorisation from Congress. Read more:Ukraine war latest: Putin 'could invade NATO'England footballer charged over assault at nightclub The judge also paused the block on the project for 14 days to allow the Trump administration to appeal the decision to the US Supreme Court. Mr Trump had appealed after US District Judge Richard Leon twice blocked above-ground construction on the site while allowing underground work to continue. Judge Leon, appointed by Republican former President George W. Bush, had ruled that no federal statute "comes close to giving the President" the required authority to construct the ballroom without congressional approval. The administration says the plan is necessary for large formal functions and to preserve the safety of the White House. It is the grandest of Mr Trump's efforts to reshape central Washington's landscape of government buildings and national monuments. Justice Department attorney Yaakov Roth said during D.C. Circuit arguments on 5 June that the courts have no role in weighing the privately ​funded project and that it would have been improper to block ​it at any point. Mr Roth said the National Trust's "architectural preference" against the ballroom ​should not take precedence over national security concerns, claiming evidence that the former East ⁠Wing left the president and others in the White House vulnerable to attack. But Thaddeus Heuer, a lawyer for the preservation group, countered this, saying: "They just don't want to go to Congress."

UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said in June she was "minded" to intervene in Paramount Skydance's $110bn (£81.4bn) acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) over public interest concerns. But a statement from her department on Thursday said she would not due to the legally binding commitments provided to her by Paramount. Money blog: HMRC repays £50m to thousands of pension savers The media and entertainment conglomerate said it would invest £80m in the UK and ensure the news brands it acquired would remain editorially separate, as would the children's TV channels. It has promised that Channel 5 will continue to operate as a public service broadcaster and be separate to the US news brands it owns: CNN and CBS. It added that CNN International will continue to be available in the UK. A letter from the company to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said it had "no intention to change Channel 5's commissioning strategy, scheduling approach, news provision, UK origination levels, children's content". Paramount has agreed to make the assurances legally binding. The deal is now effectively green lit by the UK as competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority, decided there are no aspects necessitating its intervention. Ms Nandy said, however, she will be meeting with Paramount in the coming weeks seeking assurances about the impact of the deal on wider creative industries. Why does it matter? Ms Nandy had expressed concern over media plurality and the shrinking number of news media owners. Fears for streaming service concentration had also been voiced. A merger of WBD and Paramount Skydance is one of the biggest media deals in history, with significant impacts on TV, filmmaking, and the possible future of the cinema. Other entities that would be owned by Paramount Skydance and WBD in the event of a deal include TNT Sports, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon, as well as the Paramount+ and HBO Max streaming services. TV channels will remain distinct from the streaming services, the UK government was assured. The joining of two of Hollywood's five legacy studios could prompt cinema operators' concerns over possible reductions in jobs and the ​number ⁠of films released in theatres. The company is also headed by David Ellison, the son of Trump-ally Larry Ellison, who put up tens of billions of dollars to satisfy funding guarantees for the WBD bid. While the EU has approved the takeover, regulatory approval is still required in the US, where state attorneys general led by California have sought to block the deal on antitrust grounds.

Mr Polanski said that "people of colour... can sometimes be held by higher standards" in society - and claimed the University of Cambridge had already carried out investigations. Professor Jason Arday quit his high-profile role at the university on Wednesday after it launched an investigation into his "academic qualifications and honorary appointments". In his open resignation letter, the professor of sociology of education, who became Cambridge's youngest black professor in 2023, said the "only way to bring this chapter to an end is to step away". His decision to step down comes after a series of media reports, including a story in The Daily Telegraph, alleging he plagiarised his PhD thesis and other research. Questions were also raised about the truth of other claims he made, including that he ran 600 miles in six days and that he had raised £5.5m for charity. He said his resignation should not be "mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me" or "interpreted as a loss of faith in scholarship". He added that he had "reached the limits of what any person should reasonably be expected to endure". Speaking on LBC, Mr Polanski sought to defend his decision to sign a letter which criticised the "sustained and malicious attacks" on the academic's integrity. He said: "I think the whole affair sounds pretty sad. "I think it would be good, actually, if the (university) investigation still was carried out, because I think it would be good to know the truth. "And ultimately, I think these things should be about fair process and transparency rather than trial by media." He added: "(The university) had already done, I think, two investigations and found there was no problem here or that the allegations were unfounded, and so (the letter) was about essentially saying that people of colour, particularly in society, can sometimes be held by higher standards." The letter was also signed by a number of other prominent left-wing figures. Read more from Sky News:Boxer accused of killing UK aid worker back in courtExplosive German drone 'attack' carried out 'professionally' On Wednesday evening, the University of Cambridge announced it had launched an investigation - which Mr Polanski urged them to continue. In a statement, it said: "Separately, there remains a number of ongoing complaints regarding academic misconduct, which are being handled in line with our misconduct in research policy." Jesus College said in a statement that it was launching its own process in relation to the allegation. Prof Arday's memoir, Great And Unfortunate Things, is due to be published by Simon & Schuster later this month.

Barcelona's initial offer - which Manchester City rejected - was worth in the region of £40m. City are seeking upwards of £60m for the 30-year-old midfielder, who has entered the final year of his deal. Talks over a deal have therefore halted for now. Barcelona are not giving up on Rodri by any means. Plans are in motion for another offer to go in at some point in coming days. Transfer Centre LIVE! | Man City news & transfers🔵Man City fixtures & scores | FREE Man City highlights▶️Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺 Sources in Spain believe Rodri would prefer a move to Barcelona over Real Madrid. City do not want to sell Spain's World Cup-winning captain and instead want to agree a new contract with him. If Rodri asks to leave, however, then they would not stand in his way. Chelsea's Fernandez would be 'dream' signing for Maresca As Manchester City assess their options for a replacement, Sky in Italy reports that Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández is manager Enzo Maresca's "dream" signing. Sky Sports News reported earlier this summer that Fernandez was not a player City were considering signing, as their priority at the time was to retain Rodri. The fluidity of the situation, therefore, means it remains to be seen whether circumstances change with regards to Fernandez, as City may look to bring in two players if Rodri joins Barcelona. Fernandez is due back at Chelsea training next week after reaching the World Cup final with Argentina. Question marks remain over his future with the Blues despite the fact he has a contract until 2032. Chelsea value Fernandez at £120m. The midfielder was left out of the squad for two games in April after admitting he would like to live in Madrid. The midfielder and his agent later apologised for the comments. They are also seeking improved terms at Chelsea. Real Madrid released a statement last month denying any interest in signing Fernandez, while the Argentine enjoyed a strong working relationship with Maresca during the Italian's time at Chelsea. Carra: Don't sell Rodri for £40-50m! Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher: "£40-50m? If you're Manchester City, what's the point in selling them? You might as well just keep them for the extra year. "He's as good as anybody in that position in the Premier League, probably the best. Seeing what he was like in the World Cup, it was like he was back to his best. "I thought the second half of the season him and Bernardo Silva were fantastic and almost took Manchester City to the title. "So, if I was the manager of Manchester City, I'd be keeping Rodri at that price. It'd have to be something really special to want me to lose arguably the best midfield player in world football. "I think it'd be really tough for them to win the Premier League without Rodri, even though they've got a lot of midfielders. He's the best, even though they've brought Elliot Anderson, who is one who I'm sure will learn off Rodri. "And for me, I'd see those two as a pair. I see Elliot Anderson as almost the replacement for Bernardo Silva, who's gone to Real Madrid. So, I think that'd be a big hole. It'd be really difficult to fill. "When Liverpool won the title under Arne Slot, Rodri got an injury in that season very early on, which helped Liverpool and was to the detriment of Manchester City. So if I was Manchester City, I'd be keeping him and letting him go on a free. "City paid £60m for him. If they're getting £40m back now, what can they do with that type of money? Not a lot, really. So, I'd rather keep him." How much of a loss would Rodri be to Man City? Sky Sports' Laura Hunter: Massive. Despite his age, and recent injury record, Rodri remains the most complete central midfielder to have operated in the Premier League over the past five years. "The best midfielder in the world by far," maintains Pep Guardiola. Under Guardiola, City's in-play strategy revolved entirely around him, always impressing with his use of the ball and ability to receive in tight situations. He set the tempo for his team and controlled games as a result, doing the same for triumphant Spain this summer. There is no current player who can condition a game like Rodri, and it is no coincidence City failed to retain their Premier League crown in the two seasons he was injury-plagued. So, how is he replaced? In short, he isn't. But in Anderson City have got a surrogate of sorts. The England international might not yet be the dictator Rodri is but he can evolve to become something close. As a box-to-box midfielder, the 23-year-old is putting up numbers that at least mean he is comparable.