Former television actor John Alford has appeared in court to deny attacking two police officers following an incident in north London. The 46-year-old, who shot to fame as Robbie Wright in the BBC children's drama Grange Hill, also admitted criminal damage to a refuse collection vehicle belonging to Camden Council.
Alford, whose real name is John James Walker Shannon, appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on Monday. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault on a police officer and guilty to a charge of criminal damage. The charges relate to an incident in Holloway, north London, on September 1.
The actor was granted unconditional bail and will stand trial at the same court on November 29. Alford told the court that his stage name is John Alford, but his legal name is John James Walker Shannon.
Alford is best known for playing Robbie Wright in Grange Hill from 1985 and later starred as Billy Ray in the ITV firefighter drama London's Burning for five years. He also enjoyed a brief singing career, with his cover of 'Blue Moon' reaching number nine in the UK charts.
