Former television actor John Alford has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for sexually abusing two underage girls during what was supposed to be an innocent sleepover.
From Sleepover to Nightmare: The Attack
The 54-year-old, known for roles in Grange Hill and London's Burning, preyed on the girls, aged 14 and 15, at a friend's home in April 2022. After a night at the pub, Alford, who was convicted under his real name John Shannon, went to a petrol station at 4.30am and bought £250 worth of alcohol, cigarettes, and snacks.
He then plied the teenagers with flavoured vodka. The court heard that due to conversations during the night, he was fully aware of their ages. Once other adults in the property had gone to bed, Alford's attacks began.
He had sex with the 14-year-old in the garden and later in a downstairs toilet, despite her telling him to stop 'three or four times'. He also inappropriately touched the 15-year-old as she lay half-asleep on a sofa.
Devastating Aftermath and Trauma
In harrowing victim impact statements read to St Albans Crown Court, the girls detailed the profound and lasting damage caused by Alford's crimes.
The 15-year-old victim described how the assault destroyed her mental wellbeing, leading to a suicide attempt at age 16, self-harm, and an enduring fear of men. 'I will never forget his face, his scent, his voice or him,' she told the court.
The 14-year-old victim revealed the assault severely impacted her schooling, personal hygiene, and relationships. She had to undergo a traumatic sexual health examination, take the morning-after pill, and receive injections to prevent HIV, which left visible bruises. 'I was scared people were going to notice,' she said.
No Remorse and a Prison Sentence
Alford, a father-of-four from Islington, showed no remorse at his sentencing hearing. He was found guilty on September 5 of four counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts relating to the second victim, including sexual assault and assault by penetration.
Trauma specialist psychotherapist Tina Chummun explained to the Mirror that such assaults fundamentally alter how a survivor experiences the world. 'Recovery after sexual assault is not about 'going back to normal',' she said, noting that survivors often live with flashbacks, fear, and difficulties with trust long after the event.
She emphasised that healing requires trauma-informed support and that psychological pain is processed in the same brain regions as physical pain, meaning the hurt described by survivors is very real.
John Alford, once a 1990s heartthrob, will now serve his sentence behind bars, while his young victims continue their long journey towards recovery.
