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John Alford, the actor known for his roles in “London’s Burning” and “Grange Hill,” has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison following convictions for sexually assaulting two teenage girls. The offenses occurred in April 2022 at a friend’s house in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, where Alford, whose real name is John Shannon, supplied vodka to the 14 and 15-year-old victims. The 54-year-old, from Holloway in north London, was tried at St Albans Crown Court and found guilty of multiple charges, including sexual activity with a minor and assault by penetration.
During the trial, jurors heard that Alford engaged in inappropriate sexual acts with both girls. The younger girl revealed that Alford had sex with her in the garden and a toilet at the property, despite her telling him to stop several times. The older teenager was sexually assaulted while half asleep on a sofa in the living room. Prosecutor Chris White highlighted that Alford was fully aware of the girls’ ages yet chose to exploit them by providing alcohol before offending. Recorder Caroline Overton emphasized the lasting, severe consequences the assaults had on the victims.
Alford adamantly denied the allegations throughout the proceedings. Upon hearing the guilty verdicts in September, he reacted with disbelief, crying out, “wrong, I didn’t do this.” He maintained that the accusations were a fabrication intended to extort money from him. At trial, he also asserted his innocence by pointing to the lack of DNA evidence. The court was made aware of Alford’s previous convictions, including a nine-month jail term in 1999 for supplying drugs, although none related to sexual offenses.
The circumstances surrounding the offenses involved a group gathering at a friend’s house, with Alford arriving after drinking with the homeowner at a nearby pub. He purchased a significant amount of food, alcohol, and cigarettes in the early morning hours. Statements from the victims described the profound impact the abuse has had on their mental health and families. Defense counsel Mohammed Bashir acknowledged the serious effects on the victims but noted that Alford had not reoffended since the incidents
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