Blue singer Lee Ryan faces the possibility of jail after losing a High Court challenge over his conviction for racially aggravated assault on a British Airways flight. The 43-year-old musician was convicted in September 2023 for an incident that occurred in July 2022 on a flight from Glasgow to London City Airport.
Incident Details
Ryan had consumed a bottle of port before boarding and was described as "slurring his words and staggering around". He was refused additional alcohol on the flight and told to return to his seat. He then made comments about cabin crew member Leah Gordan's looks, calling her a "chocolate cookie" before grabbing her wrists.
Leah Gordan testified that Ryan told her she was "beautiful" but made comments about her complexion, leading her to feel he was saying "I was beautiful for a black person".
Conviction and Initial Sentence
Ryan was convicted of racially aggravated assault and behaving in an abusive manner towards a crew member. He received a 12-month suspended prison sentence at Isleworth Crown Court in September 2023.
Appeal Process
Ryan appealed his convictions at the Crown Court, which partially dismissed his appeal. In November 2023, his sentence was rescinded. In November 2024, a judge and two magistrates granted his appeal over the conviction for threatening a crew member but dismissed the appeal regarding the assault conviction. The court noted inconsistencies in Ryan's evidence about whether he grabbed or merely touched Ms. Gordan's wrists.
High Court Ruling
Ryan then brought a separate legal challenge at the High Court, arguing that the Crown Court judge wrongly drew an adverse inference from his police interview. However, Lord Justice Holgate and Mr. Justice Johnson dismissed the challenge, stating the Crown Court was entitled to rely on the inconsistency between Ryan's interview and his testimony. They said the court believed Ms. Gordan, who was sober and a consistent witness, and disbelieved Ryan, who was drunk and inconsistent.
The judges concluded there was "no error" in the Crown Court judge's decision not to send the case to the High Court. Ryan's case has now been sent back to the Crown Court for sentencing, and he could face jail time for racially aggravated common assault, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years.
Ryan's Defense
Ryan previously stated he had no recollection of the flight and described his actions as "playful", denying any racist intent. He said: "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."
