A woman has taken the stand at the Old Bailey, recounting a harrowing experience of rape and suffocation allegedly inflicted by Simon Levy, who is on trial for two murders. Mr Levy, from Tottenham in north London, denies the charges against him, including those related to this woman's allegations.
The alleged attack, which she described as "terrifying", involved her being strangled and having her collarbone broken before losing consciousness. In a deeply distressing account, she told jurors: "He raped me. He suffocated me. I never forget his face and the smell of his hand on my face." The woman's testimony has revealed that the alleged rape occurred in the same car park where Sheryl Wilkins was subsequently found deceased.
The prosecution highlighted Mr Levy's previous convictions for sexual assault, while his defence barrister, Siobhan Grey KC, challenged the woman's account. However, the witness remained adamant that she was telling the truth about her attacker being Simon Levy. Ms Grey also suggested that the woman identified Mr Levy in an identity parade because she recognised him from a local library, but this claim was firmly rejected by the witness.
The court heard that the woman reported the alleged rape to a friend just days after it happened and warned another woman about Mr Levy's reputation as a "rapist". When she eventually spoke with police four days later, she was unable to be interviewed due to drug withdrawal. A friend who provided her with support testified that she confided in him about being raped, describing her as "very distressed" and "shaking" when she arrived at his door.
This witness also stated that the woman had been reluctant to contact the police initially, citing fear as a major concern. The trial continues at the Old Bailey, with serious allegations spanning multiple incidents still to be addressed.