Former London's Burning Actor Convicted of Sexual Assault on Teen Girls

John Alford, a 53-year-old actor known for his roles in London's Burning and Grange Hill, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two teenage girls aged 14 and 15 at a party in Hertfordshire in April 2022. The offences occurred at a friend's home after the girls had consumed alcohol provided by Alford, including vodka he purchased during the night. A jury at St Albans Crown Court convicted him of all six charges, including sexual activity with a minor, sexual assault, and assault by penetration, following a week-long trial and over 13 hours of deliberation. Alford denied the allegations, calling them scandalous and a setup, and claimed the 14-year-old girl was the aggressor, while also alleging an extortion attempt related to the accusations. The court heard testimonies describing the girls as intoxicated and vulnerable during the assaults, with one victim stating that Alford raped her despite her pleas to stop. This conviction marks a significant fall from grace for Alford, who had previously faced legal issues and compensation claims related to phone hacking.