Blue singer Lee Ryan guilty of racially aggravated assault

The Blue singer Lee Ryan has been convicted of the racially aggravated assault of a flight cabin crew member.

Ryan, 39, had drunk a bottle of port in the airport lounge before boarding a British Airways flight from Glasgow to London City Airport on 31 July, Ealing Magistrates' Court heard.

One flight crew member said the pop star had told her he wanted an upgrade and asked her if she knew who he was.

Ryan, who denied all charges, said his behaviour had been "playful".

The boyband star, who said he lived in Spain, was found guilty of being drunk on an aircraft, assaulting a police officer by biting him, racially aggravated common assault by beating and behaving in an abusive way towards the cabin crew member.

He is due to be sentenced on 24 February.

After the hearing, members of the press saw Ryan, who was given unconditional bail, running into a nearby primary school to avoid photographers.

Blue released three studio albums in the early 2000s, with hits including All Rise and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.

The band split in 2005, reforming six years later for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Ryan made comments about the looks of flight attendant Leah Gordon, the court heard, which she told the hearing were "unacceptable and so derogatory" and had made her feel "intimidated" and "embarrassed".

Ms Gordon said Ryan had made remarks about her complexion, and told her he was going to have her children.

"It felt like he was saying I was beautiful for a black person because of the way he was describing my colour," she said.

She went on to tell the court that Ryan later approached her from behind, saying: "Before I get off this plane I need a kiss from you."

The court heard that although she told him to "stay away", he grabbed both her wrists before passengers intervened.

She said: "He was towering over me, like he was leaning in to give me a kiss."

Police footage showed Ryan "snarling" and swearing at officers after biting one of them.

Giving evidence, a different flight attendant said she had been approached by Ryan shortly after the plane departed, when he had asked to be upgraded from economy to business class.

She told the court his request was refused because the plane was full.

"He told me he had a problem, that he was being harassed by other passengers, that he was famous and asked did I know who he was," she said.

The flight attendant added: "He was angry, saying he was a gold-card holder and that he needed to be moved because of this."

She told the court she had noticed Ryan was "slurring his words and staggering around" and said he was refused more alcohol and told to return to his seat.

Ryan, who was tearful in the dock before giving evidence, said he had drunk a whole bottle of port and eaten cheese in the BA lounge after the flight was delayed.

The pop star said: "It was banter, just drunk banter I suppose, there was no malice or intention to upset anyone."

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