Lee Ryan, the 43-year-old singer from the band Blue, is preparing to take his fight against a conviction for racially aggravated assault to the Supreme Court, following unsuccessful appeals at the Crown Court and High Court. The news emerged during a brief hearing at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, where his barrister, Thom Dyke, announced the application for a legal appeal to the UK's highest court.
Incident on British Airways Flight
The conviction stems from an incident on a British Airways flight from Glasgow to London City Airport in July 2022. Ryan, who had consumed an entire bottle of port before boarding, was described as "slurring his words and staggering around" by cabin crew. After being refused further alcohol and told to return to his seat, he made offensive remarks about flight attendant Leah Gordon's appearance, referring to her as a "chocolate cookie" before grabbing her wrists.
Ryan was subsequently convicted in 2023 of racially aggravated assault and behaving in an abusive manner towards a cabin crew member. His attempts to overturn the conviction at the Crown Court and later the High Court were unsuccessful, leading to the current legal manoeuvre.
Supreme Court Application
During Friday's hearing, Mr Dyke informed the court that Ryan is making an "application for legal appeal to the Supreme Court." The deadline for this application is August 11, with a decision on a "point of law" expected within the next two months. Ryan was not present in court for the proceedings.
If the Supreme Court refuses to hear the appeal or rules against him, Ryan will face re-sentencing at Isleworth Crown Court. The original conviction carried a potential sentence of up to six months in prison, though the singer has not yet been sentenced as appeals have been ongoing.
Victim's Account
In earlier court testimony, Ms Gordon detailed the abuse she suffered. She said Ryan told her he wanted to have her "chocolate children" and wanted to kiss her. "He was making comments about my complexion, you're my chocolate darling, my chocolate cookie, and I'm going to have your chocolate children," she recounted.
Ms Gordon added: "It felt like he was saying I was beautiful for a black person because of the way he was describing my colour." She described how Ryan approached her from behind and said, "Before I get off this plane, I need a kiss from you." After she told him to "stay away," he grabbed her wrists until passengers intervened.
"I was intimidated, I felt a bit embarrassed, like I wasn't doing my duty properly," she said. "To get comments about my colour, whether intentional or not, was just unacceptable and so derogatory."
Ryan's Defence
Ryan has previously admitted to drinking a whole bottle of port and eating cheese in the British Airways lounge after the flight was delayed. He claimed to have no memory of the incident and described his actions during earlier court proceedings as "playful" and "drunk banter." His defence team has argued that the comments were not racially motivated, but the courts have so far rejected this argument.
The case has drawn significant media attention due to Ryan's celebrity status as a member of Blue, the boy band known for hits like "All Rise" and "One Love." The singer has had a varied career, including a stint on Celebrity Big Brother, but this legal battle has cast a shadow over his public profile.
Legal Implications
The Supreme Court application focuses on a "point of law," which could relate to the interpretation of racially aggravated offences under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Legal experts suggest that Ryan's team may argue that the judge's directions to the jury were flawed, or that the evidence did not sufficiently establish racial aggravation.
If the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case, it could set a precedent for how racial aggravation is proven in assault cases. However, the court only accepts a small fraction of applications, and Ryan's chances remain uncertain.
The re-sentencing hearing, if it goes ahead, will allow the court to impose a penalty, which could range from a fine to a custodial sentence. Ryan's legal team has indicated they will continue to fight the conviction, but the clock is ticking on their Supreme Court application.
