Blue singer Lee Ryan found guilty of racially aggravated assault.
Blue singer Lee Ryan has been found guilty of racially aggravated assault of a black female cabin crew member on a British Airways flight.
The 39-year-old had downed a bottle of port in the British Airways lounge before the flight from Glasgow to London last July.
Once onboard, Ryan tried to kiss Leah Gordon – a BA flight attendant – as he asked for an upgrade to business class.
Gordon told Ealing Magistrates’ Court that Ryan initially called her “beautiful” and put his sunglasses on her face. She said: “He was making comments about my complexion, ‘you’re my chocolate darling, my chocolate cookie, and I’m going to have your chocolate children’.”
After being refused more alcohol on the plane and told to return to his seat, Ryan grabbed Gordon’s wrists.
He was found guilty of being drunk on an aircraft, racially aggravated common assault by beating, and behaving in an abusive way towards a cabin crew member.
The singer was also found guilty of assaulting a police officer by biting when arrested at London City Airport.
Ryan, who said he lives in Spain, was granted unconditional bail and the case was adjourned until 24 February.
Ryan told the court: “I’m sorry. My band member is black, I’m not racist, I’ve had black girlfriends, mixed-race girlfriends.
“It was banter, just drunk banter I suppose, there was no malice or intention to upset anyone.”
He shot to fame in 2001 with the boyband Blue, with their debut song All Rise reaching number four in the UK singles chart and topping the charts in New Zealand.
Blue went on to score three UK number one singles across four years before splitting in 2005 so the band members could pursue solo careers.
The band reunited last year with an album and UK tour.
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