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Aug. 11, 2022

S06E08 | Gary Allen | The Murders of Samantha Class and Alena Grlakova

In the eighth episode of British Murders Season 6, I tell the story of Gary Allen.

 

In late 1997, Gary murdered 29-year-old mum-of-three Samantha Class in Hull, East Yorkshire. He was acquitted of her murder in early 2000.

 

Just after Christmas 2018, Gary killed once more. This time, he murdered 38-year-old mum-of-four Alena Grlakova in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

 

His trial for both murders began in 2021. The jury found Gary Allen guilty of both murders, and the Judge handed him a life sentence with a minimum term of 37 years.

 

Intro music:⁣

David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣

https://linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic⁣

 

My recording equipment:⁣

Shure SM7B Vocal Microphone

Cloud Microphone Cloudlifter CL1

Focusrite Scarlett Solo USB Audio Interface

Rode PSA-1 Professional Studio Boom Arm

 

Recorded in:⁣

Hindenberg PRO

 

Edited in:⁣

DaVinci Resolve 17⁣

 

References:⁣

Abel, S., & Higgens, D. (2021, June 19). Double murderer Gary Allen attacked two Plymouth prostitutes. PlymouthLive. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/double-murderer-gary-allen-attacked-5547006

Alena Grlakova: Body hidden close to hotel where woman last seen. (2019, April 11). BBC News. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-47896089

At least 37 years for double murderer. (2021, June 24). The Independent, 26.

Body identified. (1997, October 28). Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 7.

Body in Humber woman named. (1997, October 28). Grimsby Evening Telegraph, 7.

Campbell, J. (2017, December 1). Notorious killer who brutally murdered Hull mum Natalie Clubb found dead. HullLive. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/notorious-killer-who-dismembered-hull-859201

Campbell, J. (2021, April 20). Who was Samantha Class, the Hull mum found strangled in the Humber. HullLive. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/who-samantha-class-hull-mum-5318133

Casciani, D. (2021, June 17). Gary Allen: How the law caught up with a killer. BBC News. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57485497

Corcoran, S. (2021a, April 19). Samantha Class murder trial begins with Gary Allen accused of killing two women 21 years apart. HullLive. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/samantha-class-murder-trial-begins-5315756

Corcoran, S. (2021b, April 19). Samantha Class murder trial begins with Gary Allen accused of killing two women 21 years apart. HullLive. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/samantha-class-murder-trial-begins-5315756

Corcoran, S. (2021c, May 18). The undercover police operation that triggered new Gary Allen trial. HullLive. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/undercover-police-operation-triggered-new-5425405

Corcoran, S. (2021d, June 17). Hull killer’s cruel childhood attack on his mum and Eurovision outburst reveal making of a murderer. HullLive. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/hull-killers-cruel-childhood-attack-5531205

DID SERIAL KILLER SLAY VICE GIRLS? (1998, May 31). The Sunday People, 7.

Fourth death sparks new Ripper fears. (1998, August 2). Sunday Mirror, 9.

Gary Allen convicted of murdering two women in Yorkshire after double jeopardy trial. (2021, June 17). The Crown Prosecution Service. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.cps.gov.uk/yorkshire-and-humberside/news/gary-allen-convicted-murdering-two-women-yorkshire-after-double

Gary Allen: Killer recorded confrontation with victim. (2021, June 17). BBC News. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-57514748

Gary Allen: Samantha Class murder confession caught on tape. (2021, June 17). BBC News. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-57501709

Gary Allen trial: Murder accused 'ashamed’ after sex. (2021, May 25). BBC News. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-57242483

Hamilton, S. (1998, August 6). Darkness on the edge of town. The Guardian, 4–5.

Humberside Police. (2021, June 17). Gary Allen murder confession [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGkouVlJYOY

Lewis, C. (2021, June 18). Gary Allen: Killer who ‘hated sex workers’ branded ‘danger to women’ after Sheffield trial. The Star. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/crime/gary-allen-killer-who-hated-sex-workers-branded-danger-to-women-after-sheffield-trial-3276834

Lewis, C. (2022, April 28). Killer jailed for murdering South Yorkshire mum to appeal sentence and conviction. The Star. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/crime/killer-jailed-for-murdering-south-yorkshire-mum-to-appeal-sentence-and-conviction-3672365

Man convicted of murdering two women decades apart. (2021, June 18). The Independent, 24.

Mr Justice Goose. (2021, June). R v GARY ARTHUR ALLEN: Sentencing Note. Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/R-v-Gary-Allen-Sentence-Note.pdf

Murder charge. (1998, November 21). Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 7.

Murder investigation calls for mouth swabs. (1998, May 9). Grimsby Evening Telegraph, 2.

PA News. (2021, June 17). ‘Despicable’ man guilty of murdering two women 21 years after acquittal. Inverness Courier. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/national/despicable-man-guilty-of-murdering-two-women-21-years-after-acquittal-23368/

Pilgrim, T. (2022a, April 28). Alena Grlakova: Double murderer Gary Allen loses challenge against convictions and sentence. The Star. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/crime/alena-grlakova-double-murderer-gary-allen-loses-challenge-against-convictions-and-sentence-3673866

Pilgrim, T. (2022b, April 28). Gary Allen loses Court of Appeal challenge against two murder convictions. Evening Standard. Retrieved 7 August 2022, from https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/mcgowan-court-of-appeal-hull-justice-rotherham-b996947.html

Police get more time to quiz man. (1998, November 19). Aberdeen Evening Express, 27.

Police probe link to prostitute deaths. (1998, May 31). Sunday Telegraph, 2.

Police to visit dead vice girl’s clients. (1998, August 11). The Birmingham Post, 7.

PROSTITUTE SERIAL KILLER LINK DENIED. (1998, August 4). Birmingham Evening Mail, 2.

PROSTITUTES FEAR ‘RIPPER’ KILLER. (1998, August 3). Birmingham Evening Mail, 14.

‘Ripper’ fears as vice girls killed. (1998, August 3). Aberdeen Press and Journal, 12.

South Yorkshire Police. (2019, April 11). Alena Grlakova - Detective appeals for information following her death [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy0M2rCvxGM

South Yorkshire Police. (2021, June 17). Op Greystrike audio excerpts [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LXJbj2ylM4

Spencer, R. (1998, August 3). Three vice girl killings raise ‘Ripper’ fears. The Birmingham Post, 7.

Victim identified. (1997, October 28). Cambridge Evening News, 4.

Walter, N. (1998, August 16). Women face a game of death. The Observer, 7.

Wilkinson, M. (1998, August 1). RED-LIGHT ALERT AFTER GRIM FIND. Heartland Evening News, 2.

Woman named. (1997, October 28). Liverpool Echo, 4.