Actor John Alford jailed for sex assaults on teens

Actor John Alford has been sentenced to eight and a half years in jail after sexually assaulting two teenage girls.

The former London's Burning and Grange Hill star committed the offences against a 14-year-old and 15-year-old girl after buying them alcohol while at a friend's house in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, in April 2022.

The 54-year-old, of Holloway, north London, stood trial at St Albans Crown Court under his real name of John Shannon and was found guilty in September.

The jury found him guilty on four counts of sexual activity with the younger girl, and of sexual assault and assault by penetration relating to the older teenager.

Alford played Billy Ray in the ITV drama London's Burning and Robbie Wright in BBC series Grange Hill.

Both girls were at the house when he arrived after drinking with the homeowner at a nearby pub.

The court heard Alford had given the girls alcohol and knew they were under 16.

According to the younger girl, Alford had sex with her in the garden of the house and in a toilet.

The former actor sexually touched the older girl as she was half asleep on a living room sofa.

Jurors were told police received a report from the 15-year-old's mother two days later, outlining the allegations.

Chris White, a lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "John Shannon was fully aware of the girl's ages, yet he chose to exploit them – giving them alcohol and then committing sexual offences against them."

She commended the victims for coming forward, who gave evidence from behind screens during the trial.

"Shannon's sentence today sends a clear message – we will pursue those who target young people for their own gratification."