UK court finds Lee Ryan guilty of racially assaulting black female cabin crew member

Lee Ryan, who is a singer of boy band ‘Blue’, has been found to be guilty of racially assaulting a black female cabin crew member of British Airways.

The 39-year-old singer seems to have carried out the racially aggravated assault during a flight on July 31 last year. At that time, Ryan was travelling from Glasgow to London.

After drinking a complete bottle of port before the journey on the fateful day, the singer was "slurring his words and staggering around", Ealing Magistrates’ Court was told.


In the plane, the pop star was refused to be served more alcohol and told to sit down. Then, Ryan seems to have made comments about the looks of Leah Gordon before grabbing her wrists.

In the police footage, Ryan can be seen "snarling" and swearing at officers after biting one of them.

The singer was found guilty of causing racially aggravated common assault by beating, being drunk on an airplane and showing abusive behavior towards a cabin crew member.


Ryan was also found guilty of assaulting a cop by biting. In court, the singer said, "I'm sorry. My band member is black, I'm not racist, I've had black girlfriends and mixed-race girlfriends. It was banter, just drunk banter I suppose, there was no malice or intention to upset anyone. I didn't mean to cause any distress to anyone or be racist, it was just a poor choice of words I suppose."

Ryan, who said that he lives in Spain, said that his actions were only "playful". He was granted unconditional bail and the case has been adjourned till February 24.

In 2001, Ryan shot to fame with the boy band ‘Blue’. The band had reunited last year to come up with an album and UK tour.

FAQs:

1. Who is Lee Ryan?
   Lee Ryan is a singer of boy band ‘Blue’.
2. Whom did Lee Ryan assault?
   Lee Ryan assaulted a black female cabin crew member of British Airways.