Hull: Gary Allen sentenced to life in prison for double murder

A man who murdered two women two decades apart has today (Wednesday 23 June) been given a life sentence, with a minimum of 37 years, at Sheffield Crown Court.

Gary Allen, 47, was convicted of murdering Samantha Class in 1997, a crime he had previously being acquitted of in 2000 by a jury, in a history-making double jeopardy first for Humberside Police. He was also convicted of the murder of Alena Grlakova in Rotherham in 2018.

Detective Chief Inspector Christine Calvert, senior investigating officer, welcomed the sentence: “Gary Allen is an extremely dangerous man, particularly to women, and is now exactly where he belongs, in prison.

“Samantha and Alena’s children are without a mum because of what this man did, and he is yet to show any remorse for his actions.

“Their families have waited a long time for this moment, to know that Gary Allen will be behind bars for the rest of his life, unable to cause any further harm and break up anymore family units.

“Whilst his conviction and this sentence don’t bring back their loved ones, I hope now they can begin their healing process and this brings a sense of closure.

“I just once again want to thank them for their strength, courage and dignity in what has been an extremely painful and long ordeal.”

Sentencing Allen today, The Honourable Mr Justice Goose said: “You have been convicted of the murders of two women 21 years apart. 

“You thought you had got away with murder, but today your past has caught up with you. This jury has, on overwhelming evidence, convicted you on both murders. 

“You are an extremely dangerous man with a long-held, deep seated, warped view of women, in particular sex workers.

“It would not be an overstatement to say that what you did to those two women and the suffering to their families was wicked.”

The judge commended the investigation teams at Humberside Police and South Yorkshire Police, including, DCI Christine Calvert, DS Mike Gotch, DC Rebecca James, DC Neil Grantham and DC Rachel Robinson, all from our Major Crime Team. He inparticularly highlighted the work of the undercover officers ‘Ian’, ‘Shaun’ and ‘Scott’ (these are pseudonyms to protect their real identities).

Find out more about the case and how we worked together with South Yorkshire Police to bring Samantha and Alena’s killer to justice.