ACTOR JOHN ALFORD JAILED FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING GIRLS AGED 14 AND 15
Update 15/03/2026: John Alford, 54, real name John Shannon, has been found dead in prison on the 13th March.He was 2 months into his eight-and-a-half year sentence at HMP Bure in Norfolk.
He was serving time for sexually assaulting girls aged 14 and 15.
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2026-03-04 14:16: Actor John Alford has been sentenced to a term of eight and a half years in prison following his conviction for sexually assaulting two teenage girls.
The ex-star of London-based television series London’s Burning and Grange Hill purchased a bottle of vodka for two girls aged 14 and 15, who consumed it at a friend’s residence in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, during April 2022.
Now aged 54 and residing in Holloway, north London, Alford, whose legal name is John Shannon, stood trial at St Albans Crown Court.
The jury found him guilty of four counts related to sexual activity with the younger girl, and also convicted him of sexual assault and assault by penetration concerning the older girl.
During sentencing, Recorder Caroline Overton highlighted that the offenses had a lasting and significant impact on the victims’ lives.
Prosecutor Chris White commented on Alford’s awareness of the girls’ ages and his deliberate exploitation of them by providing alcohol before committing the criminal acts.
Alford denied all charges, and upon hearing the verdicts in September, he reacted emotionally by covering his face and shouting, “wrong, I didn’t do this.” --------------------------- 2025-04-21 23:37: SENTENCE UPDATE 14/1/26 John Shannon, who is also known as John Alford, aged 54, of Hartham Road, Islington, has been sentenced to eight years and six months in prison.
TV actor John Alford, known for his roles in series such as Grange Hill and The Bill, has been formally charged with six offenses related to child abuse.
The charges include two counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual acts with a girl under 16, as well as two counts of penetrative sexual activity involving the same underage girl.
Additionally, he faces an assault charge concerning a female aged 13 or older, with the allegation involving penetration by a body part or object, and a sexual assault charge involving a female.
Alford, whose real name is John Shannon, first came into the spotlight at age 11 when he joined the cast of Grange Hill in 1985, portraying Robbie Wright in 113 episodes over five seasons.
His acting career also includes appearances in London's Burning, Mile High, and The Bill.
During the 1990s, he released a solo music album that featured singles which charted.
Hertfordshire Police confirmed that Alford was charged on July 16, 2023, following an investigation initiated by the Sexual Offences Investigation Team.
The investigation was launched after reports of alleged inappropriate conduct received in April 2022.
On September 26, 2023, Alford pleaded not guilty to all charges at St Albans Crown Court.
He is scheduled to return to court for a trial beginning on December 2, with proceedings expected to last around seven days.
