A retired sex worker has opened up about the “absolutely terrifying” side of the industry. Amanda Hailes worked on the streets of Hull in the 1990s, a time marked by fear after the murders of fellow workers.
She spoke about her experiences in the new Amazon Prime documentary, Chasing a Killer: Gary Allen, which follows the investigation into the man who killed two women 21 years apart. Gary Allen murdered Samantha Class in 1997 and Alena Grlakova in 2018, escaping justice for decades before being jailed in 2021.
Amanda described continuing to work on the streets despite the risks, saying she was determined to survive. “It was absolutely terrifying,” she told the series, reflecting on the time after Samantha’s death when many women feared being targeted.
She recalled Samantha as “friendly, outgoing, just a really nice girl,” and explained how shocking it was to learn of her death while on the streets herself.
Amanda also spoke about the stigma sex workers face. She said people often misunderstand the industry and reduce it to a “lifestyle choice.” For her, it was a way to support her family and put food on the table.
“It’s far from easy. Physically and emotionally, it’s soul destroying,” Amanda added. “We’re often seen in films as the tart with a heart or victim number one, two, or three.”
Gary Allen’s crimes left a lasting impact on his victims, their families, and others in the industry. In interviews, he admitted to enjoying causing pain and fear, highlighting the danger Amanda and her peers faced every day.
Amanda now campaigns for safer conditions and greater rights for sex workers in the UK. The documentary shows the risks and challenges of the industry while shining a light on those often forgotten.
Chasing a Killer: Gary Allen is available to watch on Prime Video.
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