John Alford dead: Grange Hill star dies in prison weeks after being jailed

Grange Hill actor John Alford has died in prison, just weeks after he was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison earlier this year for sex offences against children

Grange Hill actor John Alford has died in prison. The 54-year-old - also known as John Shannon - was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison this January for sex offences against children.

Following a trial at St Albans Crown Court in September 2025, Alford - who starred in both Grange Hill and London’s Burning - was convicted on six separate counts. They were two counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child, one count of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault.

A Prison Service spokesman told The Sun: "John Shannon died in prison on 13 March 2026. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate."

Sentencing Alford at St Albans Crown Court, judge Recorder Caroline Overington said: "The girls were in what should have been a safe environment, you [John] returned to this house after a night at the pub.

"You [John] were a trusted family friend and fully aware that the girls were 14 and 15 years of age. You [John] have shown a lack of acknowledgement of your offending and showed little remorse."

A source told The Sun that Alford was found unresponsive in his bed at the Category C HMP Bure in Norfolk. There was no response when they tried to wake Alford, it was claimed, and medics were called.

"He didn’t wake up in the morning. He was in his bed and they thought he was just asleep. But when they tried to wake him there was no response and they realised he was dead," a source said.

In court, both victims, who watched the hearing via screens, provided victim impact statements which were read out by the prosecution barrister, Julie Whitby. The court heard Alford was left as the only adult with the girls after other adults went to bed. Because of the nature of the conversations he had with them, he knew how old the girls were and that they were 14 and 15.

Jurors had heard that he told the police after his arrest: "This stinks. This is a set-up." Alford denied the charges and previously told a trial at St Albans Crown Court he "never touched" either of the girls.

The two girls who made the allegations said the actor assaulted them at a home in Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire in April 2022. Jurors were told a "bit of a party" was taking place at Alford's friend's home when the two girls attended. The 14 year old said she had sex with Alford in the garden and in a toilet. Alford told the court: "It didn't happen. No."

The 15 year old said the actor sexually touched her. Alford said he "never touched either of them girls". He cried and told the jury: "I haven't done this." The actor also said: "I have thought a million times, why would they do this?"

The actor told jurors the 14-year-old 'kept trying to grope' him, but he told her 'in no uncertain terms, "no." "It was quite obvious she was very drunk and being very flirtatious," he said. "I recoiled, didn't reciprocate in any way, shape or form at any time."

The court previously heard Alford, who was tried under his real name, John Shannon, carried out the attacks at an impromptu party after a night out at a pub in April 2022. The girls, who did not previously know him, were enjoying a sleepover at the home of a third girl, whose father was friends with Alford.

The fiend bought £250 worth of food, alcohol and cigarettes from a nearby petrol station in the early hours of the morning, including a bottle of vodka, which his victims subsequently drank.

Alford went on to have sex with the 14-year-old girl in the garden of the property and later in a downstairs toilet. He also inappropriately touched the 15-year-old girl as she lay half-asleep on the living room sofa.

Speaking after the sentence was handed down, Investigator Laura Harrison from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team, said: "I want to praise the bravery of our two victims for coming forward and reporting John Shannon’s horrific crimes to police. Shannon has not shown any signs of remorse, from his interviews in custody, to the trial which his victims had to endure. I hope that our victims are now able to move on in their lives knowing that Shannon will now be spending a considerable amount of time behind bars.

"This result reinforces the message that Hertfordshire Constabulary has a zero tolerance to crimes of this nature, and I hope Shannon is able to reflect on his behaviour and the trauma his actions have caused, not only for the victims but for their families as well."

Lawyer Chris White, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "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." He added: "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.” A Hertfordshire Police spokesperson said: "John Shannon, who is also known as John Alford, aged 54, of Hartham Road, Islington, has been sentenced to eight years and six months in prison. Shannon was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a Restraining Order until further order. He will also serve on the sex offenders register indefinitely."

If you are 18 or under and have been affected by this story, you can contact Childline, confidentially on 0800 1111. You can also contact the NSPCC Helpline by phoning 0808 800 500 or emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

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