Former London’s Burning star John Alford was found guilty of sexually assaulting girls aged 14 and 15 at a friend’s home following a trial earlier this year
John Alford was once a babyfaced actor in the ’80s but his life has since taken a dark turn as he’s been convicted of sexually assaulting two teenage girls.
The London’s Burning and Grange Hill actor, who was tried under his real name of John Shannon, had a glittering future ahead of him in the 1980s and 1990s. But today, he has been has been handed a sentence of eight and a half years in prison after being found guilty of child sex offences.
The 54 year old former child actor was found guilty of four counts of sexual activity with a child, as well as two counts relating to a second female of sexual assault and assault by penetration. Alford, of Hartham Road, Islington, was found guilty at St Albans Crown Court on September 5 of sexually assaulting girls aged 14 and 15 at a friend’s home on April 9, 2022. He was later sentenced on January 14.
Alford tapped his heart while looking at family members before being led down to the cells. Recorder Overton said he will serve up to two thirds in custody before being released on license. She added that for the rest of his life, Alford must make police aware of where he is living and inform them if he makes any changes to his name. He was also issued with a restraining order preventing him from contacting either victim either directly or indirectly.
However, Alford once had hopeful career dreams of becoming an actor as he attended Anna Scher’s stage school from the age of 11 before landing a role in ITV sitcom Not and Then. Alford then got his big break as he joined the cast of Grange Hill, undertaking the role of Robbie Wright.
Photos of Alford from his stint on the programme, which lasted five years, see him as a babyfaced teen. He’s pictured in the distinctive Grange Hill school uniform wearing a white shirt and tie along with a blazer with the fictional school’s logo on. His stint as Robbie saw him feature in the show’s anti-drug campaign single, Just Say No.
Alford continued acting in his adulthood, as he took on the role of Billy Ray in London’s Burning, a role which he portrayed for five years. He had a brief music career, in which he released a self-titled album, which failed to chart. His last on-screen appearance was as a prison guard in The Hatton Garden Job in 2017.
However, he is now most known for his perverted crimes. In September he was found guilty of sexually assaulting two girls, aged 14 and 15. As the verdicts were read out in court in September, he placed his head in his hand and said: “Wrong, I didn’t do this!” Prosecuting barrister Julie Whitby said both of the girls were drunk when the incidents happened. All of the offences took place at the home of a third girl whose father was friends with Alford.
The actor purchased approximately £250 worth of food, alcohol and cigarettes from a close by petrol station in the early hours of the morning, including a bottle of vodka which the teenagers drank. Alford then had sexual intercourse with the younger girl in the garden of the house and later in a downstairs toilet. He then inappropriately touched the 15-year-old as she was falling asleep on the sofa.
A third-party report was made to police by the then 15-year-old girl’s mother on April 11 2022, jurors were previously told. The defendant was then arrested the following day after both girls were interviewed. In a statement provided to the force, Alford said one of the two girls “kept on trying to kiss me” and had told him she was 17 years old. He added: “At no point did I touch her in any sexual way whatsoever.”
Jurors had heard that he told the police after his arrest: “This stinks. This is a set-up.” Alford denied the charges and previously told a trial at St Albans Crown Court he “never touched” either of the girls.
The two girls who made the allegations said the actor assaulted them at a home in Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire in April 2022. Jurors were told a “bit of a party” was taking place at Alford’s friend’s home when the two girls attended. The 14 year old said she had sex with Alford in the garden and in a toilet. Alford told the court: “It didn’t happen. No.”
The 15 year old said the actor sexually touched her. Alford said he “never touched either of them girls”. He cried and told the jury: “I haven’t done this.” The actor also said: “I have thought a million times, why would they do this?” The actor told jurors the 14-year-old ‘kept trying to grope’ him, but he told her ‘in no uncertain terms, “no”.’
“It was quite obvious she was very drunk and being very flirtatious,” he said. “I recoiled, didn’t reciprocate in any way, shape or form at any time.”
Investigator Laura Harrison, from Hertfordshir,e Constabulary’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team, said: “Throughout this trial, Shannon consistently denied any sexual activity and maintained that the two child victims were attempting to extort him for money—despite the fact that neither child knew who Shannon was, nor that he was an actor, as they were born long after his career began. At no point did Shannon accept responsibility, admit guilt, or show any remorse for his actions.
“There is no doubt that Shannon’s behaviour that evening was predatory and carried out solely for his own sexual gratification.
“Reporting offences of this nature is never easy. I want to commend the victims for their courage in coming forward and for the strength they have shown throughout this lengthy and complex investigation. Their determination has never wavered, and this is testament to their bravery.”
Both victims provided victim impact statements which were read out by a judge in court ahead of his sentencing. The court heard the 14-year-old victim, who was wearing pyjamas, a vest top and knickers, told police Alford was older than her dad.
In her victim impact statement, she said: “I’m the victim of penetrative sexual assault. Being sexually assaulted has affected my family in every way.” The girl said she had to undergo a sexual health exam, but it could not be completed due to it causing her so much pain.
She was also given the morning after pill and had to undergo injections for HIV and other diseases, which caused her bruising. She said: “I was scared people were going to notice and wonder why I had them.” She added: “I had so much shame about the incident. I didn’t want to tell anyone.”
The girl said she did eventually tell her brother, who told her parents, including her dad who attempted to comfort her. She said: “My dad hugged me, but I didn’t feel comfortable with it because he was a man. It has affected me severely with school. I didn’t care about my GCSEs as this was the only thing that mattered. I wasn’t bothered about my personal hygiene or appearance. I was just existing.”
She added: “I’ve become protective of my friends and any girl I see. I’m always on the look out for a man doing something wrong. What happened to me will be with me forever, but I won’t let it change me.” The girl said she doesn’t like drinking as it reminds her of that night. She added: “I remember what John smelled like.
“I was getting flashbacks. I’ve been getting dreams. I’m convinced he’s going to come through my door,” she said. “I also find it hard being intimate with my boyfriend because of this.” The teen added: “The assault by John has completely changed my perspective on life. It has made me look very differently at the world and I now have worries for my life and my future children. I will not let this assault define me, but it has been constantly in my mind.”
If you are 18 or under and have been affected by this story, you can contact Childline, confidentially on 0800 1111. You can also contact the NSPCC Helpline by phoning 0808 800 500 or emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
* If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999
Source: Mirror
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