Former Actor John Alford Found Guilty of Sexually Assaulting Teenagers

John Alford, a 53-year-old former actor from Glasgow, has been convicted of sexually assaulting two teenage girls, aged 14 and 15, during a party at a friend's home in Hertfordshire. The trial at St Albans Crown Court heard that Alford, who appeared in the BBC drama Grange Hill, had sex with the 14-year-old girl in the garden and in a downstairs toilet, and inappropriately touched the 15-year-old girl as she lay half asleep on the living room sofa. The jury delivered their verdicts after a week-long trial and over 13 hours of deliberations.

Key Takeaways:

• John Alford, a 53-year-old former actor, has been found guilty of four counts of sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl and two charges of sexual assault and assault by penetration relating to a 15-year-old girl.
• The offenses took place at a friend's home in Hertfordshire on April 9, 2022, where Alford had bought £250 worth of food, alcohol, and cigarettes from a nearby petrol station.
• Alford had sex with the 14-year-old girl in the garden and in a downstairs toilet, and inappropriately touched the 15-year-old girl as she lay half asleep on the living room sofa.
• The jury delivered their verdicts after a week-long trial and over 13 hours of deliberations.
• Alford's real name is John Shannon, and he appeared in the BBC drama Grange Hill.
• He was charged under his real name and was found guilty on all counts on Friday, September 5, 2022.

Statistics:

• 4 counts of sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl
• 2 charges of sexual assault and assault by penetration relating to a 15-year-old girl
• £250 worth of food, alcohol, and cigarettes bought from a nearby petrol station
• 13 hours of deliberations by the jury
• 1 week-long trial

Sources:

• PA (no date mentioned in the source)
• St Albans Crown Court (no date mentioned in the source)