Grange Hill actor John Alford jailed for sexually assaulting girls aged 14 and 15

He has received his sentence.

The 54-year-old actor, who also appeared in ITV's London's Burning, was found guilty at St Albans Crown Court after a week-long trial.

Alford appeared in court under his real name John Shannon.

The jury convicted him on all counts after over 13 hours of deliberations.

The offences involved girls aged 14 and 15, taking place on 9 April 2022 in Hertfordshire.

Shannon faced four counts of sexual activity with the 14-year-old girl, while he faced charges of sexual assault and assault by penetration relating to the 15-year-old.

Jurors heard that both girls had been drinking alcohol and were drunk following a night out at a pub.

The trial heard that the girls had drunk a bottle of vodka bought by Shannon as part of £250 spent on food, alcohol and cigarettes.

The offences occurred at the home of a third girl, whose father was friends with John.

Jurors heard Shannon then had sexual intercourse with the 14-year-old in the garden and later in a downstairs toilet.

He also inappropriately touched the 15-year-old who was half asleep on the living room sofa.

The older girl said she felt "absolutely sick" and had planned to keep the attack secret before having a "mental breakdown" to her friend's mother days later.

Despite being found guilty in September, Shannon denied the charges.

He reportedly shouted out "wrong, I didn't do this," after being found guilty.