John Alford

Former actor John Alford, whose real name is John Shannon, was convicted at St Albans Crown Court on September 5, 2024, of six sexual offences against two teenage girls during a party at a friend's home in Hertfordshire.

The offences occurred on April 9, 2022, following a night out at a pub. Alford, then aged 51, purchased £250 worth of food, alcohol, and cigarettes from a petrol station in the early hours, including a bottle of vodka which the victims consumed, leaving them drunk. The assaults took place at the home of a third girl whose father was friends with Alford.

• Alford had sexual intercourse with the 14-year-old girl in the garden and downstairs toilet of the home.
• He inappropriately touched the 15-year-old girl as she lay half asleep on the living room sofa, including assault by penetration.

Alford was charged with four counts of sexual activity with the younger girl and additional charges of sexual assault and assault by penetration relating to the second teenager. The jury, after a week-long trial and more than 13 hours of deliberations, found him guilty on all counts. As the verdicts were read, Alford put his head in his hand and shouted 'wrong, I didn’t do this' from the dock.

During the trial, Alford denied any sexual activity, claiming the victims were attempting to extort him for money, despite them not knowing his identity or acting career, as they were born long after it peaked. He appeared in BBC dramas such as Grange Hill and London’s Burning.

Investigator Laura Harrison from Hertfordshire Constabulary's Sexual Offences Investigation Team stated: '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.'

Alford is scheduled to be sentenced on December 5, 2024, for all six offences.