Musician Lee Ryan from the band Blue has faced setbacks in his attempt to challenge his conviction for a racially aggravated assault on an airplane. The incident took place on a British Airways flight from Glasgow to London City Airport in July 2022 when the 43-year-old singer, reportedly intoxicated, exhibited slurred speech and unsteady movements after consuming a bottle of port.
During the flight, Ryan was denied further alcohol and instructed to return to his seat. He proceeded to make inappropriate comments about a cabin crew member’s appearance, addressing her as a “chocolate cookie” before physically grabbing her wrists. This led to his conviction for racially aggravated assault and abusive behavior towards the cabin crew, resulting in a 12-month suspended prison sentence issued at Isleworth Crown Court in September 2023.
Despite his efforts to appeal the convictions at the Crown Court, Ryan’s appeal was only partially successful as the court declined to elevate the case to the High Court, deeming the application frivolous. Subsequently, a separate legal challenge at the High Court was also dismissed by two judges, Lord Justice Holgate and Mr. Justice Johnson.
The judges emphasized that while Ryan had the opportunity to appeal against his convictions in November 2023, with his sentence being revoked at that time, a later ruling in November 2024 saw his appeal regarding threatening a member of the aircraft crew being upheld, but the assault conviction appeal being rejected.
Ryan’s legal team argued that the Crown Court judge had erred in drawing negative conclusions from Ryan’s police interview, but this claim was dismissed by Lord Justice Holgate and Mr. Justice Johnson. The judges highlighted the court’s reliance on the inconsistency between Ryan’s statements in the interview and his testimony in court, ultimately leading to the dismissal of the appeal.
Furthermore, Ryan faces the prospect of a potential jail sentence following the case’s return to the Crown Court. Previously, during the trial, it was revealed that Ryan had complimented the crew member before the incident, but his actions and comments were deemed inappropriate and racially insensitive by the crew member.
In his defense, Ryan claimed to have no recollection of the events on the flight, attributing his behavior to drunken antics rather than racist intent. He expressed regret for his actions, stating that he did not harbor any ill will towards anyone and that his actions were meant as playful banter. However, the court proceedings have cast doubts on his version of events, leading to the possibility of a jail term for the singer.