Former child actor John Alford, best known for roles in Grange Hill and London's Burning, has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for a series of child sex offences. The 54-year-old, tried under his real name John Shannon, was found guilty of sexually assaulting two teenage girls at a friend's home in Hertfordshire.
The Crimes and The Trial
John Alford, of Hartham Road in Islington, was convicted at St Albans Crown Court on September 5 this year. The court heard he sexually assaulted the girls, aged 14 and 15, at a property in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, on April 9, 2022.
He was found guilty of four counts of sexual activity with a child relating to the 14-year-old victim, and two counts – sexual assault and assault by penetration – relating to the 15-year-old. The offences occurred after Alford purchased alcohol, including vodka, from a nearby petrol station for the teenagers.
Prosecutor Julie Whitby stated both girls were drunk. Alford had sexual intercourse with the 14-year-old in the garden and later in a downstairs toilet. He then inappropriately touched the 15-year-old as she fell asleep on a sofa.
From Screen Star to Convicted Predator
Alford's career began promisingly at Anna Scher's stage school. His big break came playing Robbie Wright in the BBC school drama Grange Hill for five years, later starring as Billy Ray in ITV's London's Burning.
His final screen role was in 2017. The baby-faced photos from his Grange Hill days starkly contrast the predator described in court. Throughout the trial, Alford denied all charges, claiming the girls were trying to extort him and that one said she was 17.
He told police, "This stinks. This is a set-up," and cried in court, saying, "I haven't done this." Investigator Laura Harrison of Hertfordshire Constabulary said Alford showed no remorse and called his behaviour "predatory".
Sentencing and Lasting Impact
On January 14, Recorder Overton handed Alford an eight-and-a-half-year sentence at St Albans Crown Court. He must serve up to two-thirds in custody before release on licence. He was given a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, must sign the sex offenders register indefinitely, and was issued with a restraining order protecting both victims.
The victims' impact statements, read in court, detailed severe trauma. The 14-year-old said the assault affected her family "in every way," causing her to neglect her GCSEs and personal hygiene. She underwent painful medical examinations and preventative treatments for HIV.
"I remember what John smelled like," she said, describing flashbacks and fear. "I'm convinced he's going to come through my door." The teen added the assault changed her perspective on life and her future.
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