John Alford, the actor known for roles in Grange Hill and London's Burning, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two teenage girls aged 14 and 15. The 53-year-old, tried under his real name John Shannon, was convicted at St Albans Crown Court on Friday after a week-long trial.
The offences took place on 9 April 2022 at a property in Hertfordshire. Alford had bought £250 worth of food, alcohol and cigarettes, including vodka, which the girls consumed. He then assaulted the 14-year-old in the garden and a downstairs toilet, and inappropriately touched the 15-year-old as she lay on a sofa.
One victim said she felt 'absolutely sick' after the assault and later had a 'mental breakdown' while speaking to a friend's mother. The other girl, who said she had never had sex before, told police she told Alford to stop because she did not want to have sex with an old man.
Alford shouted 'wrong, I didn't do this' from the dock as the verdicts were read. He claimed the charges were a setup and said 'no DNA' proved his innocence. The court heard he had previous convictions dating back to 1999, including for drug supply and drink-driving.
Recorder Caroline Overton granted Alford conditional bail before sentencing on 4 December, warning him he had been convicted of 'very serious matters' and should expect a custodial sentence.
