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John Alford, the actor best known for roles in “Grange Hill” and “London’s Burning,” has died in prison, two months after being sentenced for sexually assaulting two teenage girls.
The 54-year-old was found deceased at HMP Bure in Norfolk. Alford’s legal name was John Shannon.
Shannon was serving an eight-and-a-half-year sentence after being convicted of sexually assaulting two teenage girls, ages 15 and 14.
A Prison Service spokesperson confirmed the death to the BBC, stating: “John Shannon died in prison on 13 March 2026. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”
Alford, residing in Holloway, North London, was tried under his given name at St Albans Crown Court last September.
The court heard that Alford purchased a bottle of vodka for the two teenage girls, which they consumed at a friend’s residence in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, in April 2022.
He was subsequently found guilty on four counts of sexual activity with the younger girl, as well as sexual assault and assault by penetration on the older teenager.
He was sentenced on January 14, with Recorder Caroline Overton stating the offenses had a “significant and ongoing impact” on the victims’ lives.
Alford rose to prominence in 1985 after joining the cast of the BBC children’s series “Grange Hill”, playing Robbie Wright until 1989.
He achieved broader recognition in 1993 when he joined the cast of the ITV drama “London’s Burning,” during its sixth series.
Alford played firefighter Billy Ray, which significantly raised his profile. In 1996, he pursued a pop music career.
However, Alford’s tenure on “London’s Burning” was cut short, and he was sentenced to nine months in prison after being convicted of supplying cocaine and cannabis to an undercover journalist from the News of the World in 1997.
During his trial last September, prosecutor Chris White stated to the jury: “John Shannon was fully aware of the girls’ ages, yet he chose to exploit them – giving them alcohol and then committing sexual offences against them.”
Alford denied the offenses. Upon hearing the verdicts, he reportedly put his head in his hands and exclaimed, “wrong, I didn’t do this”.
Once a TV star who found minor chart success, John Alford is now in prison for sex offences.
Police say they smashed a window at the shop and threatened anyone who tried to intervene.
A building firm has now banned the use of contact spray adhesives containing Dichloromethane.
Police say the woman, in her 60s, was one her way to work when she died.
The former London’s Burning and Grange Hill star bought vodka for the girls before assaulting them.
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