Former London's Burning actor John Alford has died in jail weeks after being jailed for eight-and-a-half years after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two teenage girls during a party at a friend's home in Hertfordshire.
The 54-year-old, who was charged under his real name John Shannon, appeared at St Albans Crown Court on January 14 where he was sentenced for four counts of sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl and charges of sexual assault, and assault by penetration relating to the second teenager aged 15 on April 9, 2022.
A jury at the same court convicted Alford of all charges on September 5 last year following a week-long trial and more than 13 hours of deliberations.
Alford, 54, made his mark on BBC school drama Grange Hill the 1980s and found fame as fireman Billy Ray in London’s Burning in the 1990s before his fall from grace and final end.
He was found unresponsive on his bed when staff opened his cell door on Friday at Category C HMP Bure near Norwich and medics were called.
Jurors heard during the trial that he sexually assaulted the girls while they were drunk following a night out at the pub, with the offences taking place at the home of a third girl whose father was friends with Alford.
The former actor purchased £250 worth of food, alcohol and cigarettes from a petrol station in the early hours of the morning, including a bottle of vodka which the victims drank.
Alford then had sexual intercourse with the 14-year-old girl in the garden and downstairs toilet of the home, and inappropriately touched the 15-year-old girl as she lay half asleep on the living room sofa.
"John Shannon was fully aware of the girl's ages, yet he chose to exploit them – giving them alcohol and then committing sexual offences against them," said Crown Prosecution Service lawyer Chris White.
"We commend the victims for reporting what happened. They were supported to give evidence against Shannon.
"Their statements were recorded and played to the jury during the trial, and we arranged for screens to be provided so they did not have to face the defendant during cross examination.
"Shannon's sentence today sends a clear message – we will pursue those who target young people for their own gratification."
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