Actor trial delayed due to mental health decision

The actor has been accused of sexual activity with a child

The trial of former London's Burning actor John Alford on child sex offence charges has been delayed because he is due to be detained under the Mental Health Act.

Mr Alford is accused of four counts of sexual activity with a child under the age of 16, and two counts relating to a second female - of sexual assault and assault by penetration.

The prosecution followed an investigation by Hertfordshire Police.

The 53-year-old, of Holloway, north London, first found fame playing Robbie Wright in Grange Hill.

The actor played Billy Ray in London's Burning for five years from 1993

The defendant was due to appear at St Albans Crown Court on Monday.

However, on Wednesday a clinician told the court that Alford, who is charged under his real name John Shannon, was unwell in hospital awaiting the availability of a psychiatric bed.

A consultant in liaison psychiatry told Judge Bilal Siddique that two medical recommendations had been made under Section 2 of the Mental Health Act.

Dr Kirsty Allen said: "At the moment he's not technically detained because you've got to have a bed before you can be detained somewhere."

Another preliminary hearing was scheduled for Friday at the same court.

The offences were allegedly committed in April 2022.

Mr Alford pleaded not guilty to the charges at a previous hearing.