Overview
- A jury at St Albans Crown Court convicted Alford, tried as John Shannon, of four counts of sexual activity with a child, sexual assault, and assault by penetration.
- The offences occurred during a sleepover at a friend’s home in Hoddesdon on April 9, 2022, after he bought about £250 of food, alcohol and cigarettes, including vodka.
- Recorder Caroline Overton ordered up to two thirds of the term to be served in custody, with the rest on licence, and imposed a restraining order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order with indefinite sex‑offender notification.
- Victim impact statements described profound and lasting harm, including self‑harm and a suicide attempt by one girl following the assaults.
- Alford denied wrongdoing and claimed a set‑up, while police and the Crown Prosecution Service praised the victims’ bravery and framed the sentence as a deterrent.