Former Actor John Alford Convicted of Sexually Assaulting Teenage Girls
Actor John Alford, best known for his roles in London’s Burning and Grange Hill, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two teenage girls at a house party in Hertfordshire.
The 53-year-old, who stood trial under his real name, John Shannon, denied the allegations but was convicted at St Albans Crown Court after a jury deliberated for 13 hours. He now faces a likely prison sentence when he returns for sentencing on 4 December.
Details of the Case
The assaults took place in April 2022 at a friend’s house in Hoddesdon. Prosecutors said Alford purchased alcohol, including vodka, which the teenagers drank before the attacks occurred.
One victim, aged 14, told police that Alford had sex with her in the garden and a downstairs toilet, saying she asked him to stop several times because she “didn’t want to have sex with an old man.” The second victim, aged 15, said Alford sexually touched her while she was half asleep on a sofa.
Alford denied any wrongdoing, repeatedly insisting in court that he “never touched” the girls and suggesting he was the target of an extortion plot. He became emotional in the dock, shouting “wrong, I didn’t do this” when the verdict was read out.
The jury, however, convicted him of four counts of sexual activity with the 14-year-old, as well as sexual assault and assault by penetration against the 15-year-old.
Past Convictions and Legal Troubles
Jurors also learned of Alford’s previous criminal record. In 1999, he was jailed for drug supply after being caught in a News of the World sting by reporter Mazher Mahmood, known as the “Fake Sheikh.” He later won a £500,000 settlement from the newspaper’s publishers after claiming his phone had been hacked.
He has also been convicted of disorderly behaviour, drink-driving, criminal damage, and obstructing police in separate incidents.
Court Conditions
Judge Recorder Caroline Overton granted Alford conditional bail ahead of sentencing but warned him to expect a custodial term. His bail conditions include:
A daily curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Twice-weekly check-ins at a police station
No contact with under-18s, except family members
The judge described the offences as “very serious matters.”
Career Background
Alford rose to fame in the 1980s, starring as Robbie Wright in the BBC school drama Grange Hill and later as Billy Ray in ITV’s London’s Burning. However, his acting career declined sharply following his drug conviction more than two decades ago.
He told the jury during trial that he had been “blacklisted” from acting and had struggled with mental health issues and alcohol dependency in later years.