Hoe’Tell News |

A 41-year-old man was charged today with the murder of a prostitute whose strangled body was found in a burned-out flat, police said.

Andrea Waddell’s body was found by firefighters in her first floor flat in Upper Lewes Road, Brighton, shortly before midnight last Thursday.

Neil McMillan, a satellite installer, of Bennett Road, Brighton, has also been charged with arson with intent to endanger life, Sussex Police said.

He was arrested on Saturday night and detectives were granted an extension to continue questioning him.

He will appear at Brighton Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Ms Waddell’s family has revealed she was born Alexander John, but underwent gender surgery to become a woman while studying for a masters degree at the University of Sussex.

She also studied at Durham University.

Her parents, Sonia and Robin, and brother Nick, said a number of health problems the 29-year-old suffered from made life very difficult and painful for her and she should not be judged for how she made a living.

More and more U.S. sex workers are heading south of the border (you shut up) in order to seek work in a safer, regulated and potentially more lucrative environment than on U.S. streets - even despite recent reports that suggest their patrons could do a little better when it comes to wrapping it up.

An article about this new phenomenon contains a few instances of unintentional hilarity, not the least of which was the mention that a seasoned Mexican prostitute originally thought the American prostitutes (one of whom was described as wearing a sheer red and white top and leggings) were simply tourists. But, no. That wasn’t a fannypack.

The Tijuana-based prostitututes, some of whom belong to “Las Magdalenas,” a group aimed at enforcing sex workers’ rights, say the U.S. women tend to be friendlier, although many speak not a word of Spanish.

Another new trend that the sex workers must compete with is the influx of Mexican housewives - usually middle-aged or older - who also work the streets of Tijuana for extra spending cash. Some women have even been seen bringing their grandchildren into hotels that charge by the hour, presumably because they cannot afford to have someone watch them while they work.

One prostitute explained that Tijuana has always been something of a land of opportunity, even beyond the “Zona Norte” where prostitution is legal and (supposedly) regulated:

Tijuana has always been a haven for people seeking work. In the past, the unemployment rate has been 2%, ie well below the national unemployment. Now, even though unemployment is at 8%, it is still very attractive to many people, even the homeless across the border looking for work here.

So if you’re an American tourist strolling Tijuana in a pair of Lucite sandals and an ill-fitting tank top (like you do), you might end up bringing home a little extra money. Just don’t bite the worm.

HotelPimp

Meet Amanda Brooks. She was raised in Texas, went to college and graduated with a double degree in photography and English. She entered the workforce, found a job she really enjoyed and then retired… At the age of 29. Her chosen profession? Internet call girl. And like any retired person with valuable advice, Ms. Brooks has written a couple of books: The Internet Escort’s Handbook, volumes 1 and 2. The first book deals with “basic mental, emotional and physical considerations in escort work.” The second is about advertising and marketing. A little digging revealed that the book has chapters titled “Are You A People Person? How Can You Become One?” and, under “Your Personal Appearance” are sections named “Breasts,” “Weight And Proportions,” “Hair,” “Stretch Marks,” “Teeth and Breath,” “The Period Question,” and, of course, “Ejaculation (Face or Specific Body Part).” Very thorough. Oh! And — here’s the difference between an escort and a cheap hooker, in case you were wondering:

If you are selling your time, undivided attention, and the (unspoken) offer of sexual entertainment, you’re an escort. If you’re selling a specific sexual activity for a certain amount of money, you’re a prostitute. If you won’t have sex with the man you’re dating unless he buys you an expensive dinner, you’re a (relatively cheap) prostitute.

It’s not clear why Ms. Brooks appears to be wearing a wig in some of her photos, but her site claims, “Amanda’s family is not embarrassed by her or her mission.” And although she’s retired, it sounds like she really enjoyed letting old dudes grope her for money! “How did I feel working as an escort?” she asks. “Happy, satisfied, in control of my life; wealthy, healthy, at peace with myself, free, successful and I slept like a baby every night.”