Grange Hill and London's Burning star 'abused schoolgirls at party'

FORMER London's Burning star John Alford sexually abused two underage girls at a party, a court has heard.

- Harry Stedman

Alford, 53, is accused of four counts of sexual activity with a 14-year-old plus sexual assaults involving a girl of 15. He denies all the charges.

St Albans Crown Court was told that Alford assaulted the girls, who did not know him and were drunk, after visiting a property in Hertfordshire following a night at a pub.

The offences are said to have occurred early on April 9, 2022, at the home of a third girl who was friends with the pair, the court heard.

Julie Whitby, prosecuting, said: "They were drinking, they were chatting, they were spending time with each other." The 14-year-old had unsuccessfully tried phoning her mother and ordering a taxi after other friends left at around 12.30am.