Sonja Jessup

Mina Smallman says the Simon Levy case exposes a crumbling criminal justice system after police, prosecutors, courts and prison services failed to prevent the convicted sex offender from murdering Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins, raping another woman and sexually assaulting others. She argues that authorities made assumptions about vulnerable victims, failed to work together and must adopt a coordinated approach to protecting women and girls. Smallman is demanding that Prime Minister Andy Burnham address the failings, oppose early release for violent offenders and tackle the online radicalization of boys and men by misogynistic networks. The Metropolitan Police, Crown Prosecution Service and British Transport Police have apologized, while the government says the case raises serious questions and that investigations and internal reviews are under way.

An inquest found that 14-year-old Corey Junior Davis, known as CJ, was unlawfully killed in a 2017 drive-by shooting in Forest Gate. The coroner identified collective failures among children's social care, youth offending, mental health and housing services, including poor information sharing, the absence of a robust safeguarding plan and a failure to reassess risk when CJ returned to Newham. CJ had been excluded from school, diagnosed with ADHD and groomed by a gang to carry drugs, while his mother repeatedly warned authorities that he was in danger. The coroner said the failures may have contributed to his death but could not establish that they probably did. Police have renewed their appeal for witnesses and information about the unsolved killing.

Interviews with teenagers, community leaders and experts highlight how recent mass gatherings of young people in Clapham stem from limited youth facilities, social media influence and a desire for social connection. While incidents caused concern, they led to few arrests and minimal damage. Youth workers and academics stress the need for safe spaces and investment in youth services, noting long-term effects of funding cuts and pandemic disruption. Police emphasise rapid response and improved local intelligence, while debates continue over how to manage social media use among young people and prevent similar disturbances.

A London paramedic who faced sexual harassment from a male patient saw him jailed under new legislation making sex‑based harassment a criminal offence. Ahmed Sheiki Ahmed received a 12‑week sentence after admitting to abusive behaviour and being drunk and disorderly. The law, introduced in April, targets intentional harassment based on sex and has already resulted in multiple charges. Police say it strengthens their ability to protect women in public spaces. Paramedic Ella Johnson described the incident as frightening and said such abuse is increasingly common, hoping the law will encourage more victims to report incidents.

A woman groomed by a Metropolitan Police officer received a financial settlement but says years of dismissive treatment by the force’s misconduct system left her without accountability. Despite multiple apologies and findings of gross misconduct against former officer Phil Hunter, she was labelled a “fixated complainant” while seeking action against others involved. Reviews by Baroness Casey and the Independent Office for Police Conduct highlighted failures in how her complaints were handled. The Met says it is improving standards and culture, but she argues victims still face disbelief and systemic barriers, and she would not advise others to report predatory officers.