John Alford, known for his roles in Grange Hill and London Burning, was discovered deceased in his prison cell by staff members, as per recent reports. The actor, who had been convicted of sexually assaulting two teenage girls in January, had been serving an eight and a half-year sentence.
News of Alford’s passing at the age of 54 emerged last night. He was found unresponsive on his bed when prison staff opened his cell door at the Category C HMP Bure near Norwich on Friday. Medical assistance was summoned promptly.
According to a source quoted by The Sun on Sunday, Alford did not awaken in the morning. Initially presumed to be asleep, it became apparent that he had passed away when attempts to rouse him proved futile.
The former actor had been found guilty of engaging in sexual activities with a 14-year-old girl and faced charges of sexual assault and assault by penetration involving a 15-year-old girl at a residence in Hertfordshire on April 9, 2022.
During the trial at St Albans Crown Court, it was disclosed that Alford had purchased items amounting to £250, including food, alcohol, and cigarettes, from a nearby petrol station. This included a bottle of vodka consumed by the victims.
Alford proceeded to have sexual relations with the 14-year-old girl in the garden and a downstairs toilet of the property. He also inappropriately touched the 15-year-old girl while she was partially asleep on the living room sofa.
Following a report from the 15-year-old girl’s mother, detailing the allegations, the authorities detained Alford. In her testimony, the 15-year-old girl expressed feeling profoundly distressed after the incident, ultimately confiding in her friend’s mother about the ordeal.
Alford maintained his innocence throughout the trial, labeling the accusations as baseless and orchestrated. He contended that there was no DNA evidence supporting the allegations, claiming that he had alerted the police about the girls’ intentions to extort money from him. Additionally, he cited mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and paranoia.
In a separate legal matter, Alford was previously convicted of supplying illegal substances to former News of the World reporter Mazher Mahmood, known as the “fake sheikh,” resulting in a nine-month imprisonment. Jurors were informed that Alford had received a payment of £500,000 from the news outlet in connection to phone hacking allegations.
Alford’s interactions with Mahmood included a meeting at London’s Savoy hotel in 1997 with a bogus Arabian prince, under the guise of securing acting opportunities and public appearances. Subsequently, he was asked to procure cocaine for the individual.
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