The former star had been jailed for sexually abusing two underage girls.
Convicted paedophile and former Grange Hill actor John Alford has been found dead in prison, only weeks after being jailed for sexually abusing two underage girls.
The 54‑year‑old was discovered unresponsive in his cell at HMP Bure, a Category C prison in Norfolk, when staff carried out morning checks on Friday (March 13). His death came shortly after he was convicted of sexually assaulting a 14‑year‑old and a 15‑year‑old during a sleepover at a friend’s home over the Easter holidays.
A jury at St Albans Crown Court found Alford, who appeared in court under his real name, John Shannon, guilty on all counts following a week‑long trial and more than 13 hours of deliberation, reports the Daily Star.
As the verdicts were delivered, the disgraced actor, who also appeared in London’s Burning, placed his head in his hands and shouted from the dock: “Wrong, I didn’t do this.” He found fame portraying Fireman Billy Ray in London’s Burning throughout most of the 1990s.
Speaking to the Sun, a source elaborated on the unresponsive state Alford was found in, saying: “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.” Alford landed the role of rebel Robbie Wright on BBC’s Grange Hill when he was 13 years old.
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