Actor John Alford has been convicted of sexually assaulting two adolescent girls.

The star of London’s Burning had refuted any sexual involvement with a 14-year-old and denied the assault of a 15-year-old at a friend’s residence in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, back in April 2022.

The 53-year-old, residing in Holloway, north London, attended the trial under his legal name, John Shannon.

During the proceedings at St Albans Crown Court, Alford was visibly distressed, covering his face with his hands and exclaiming “wrong, I didn’t do this” from the defendant’s box as the jury’s decision was announced.

Alford is best known for his roles as Billy Ray in the ITV drama focused on the fire service and Robbie Wright in the BBC children’s program Grange Hill.

The prosecuting barrister, Julie Whitby, stated that both girls were intoxicated at the time of the incidents. She noted that Alford was aware of their ages and claimed in court that he “never touched” either girl.