Blue singer Lee Ryan loses High Court appeal over plane assault
Lee Ryan, the 43-year-old singer from Blue, has faced a setback in his High Court appeal regarding his conviction for racially aggravated assault against a flight attendant. This incident took place in July 2022 aboard a British Airways flight traveling from Glasgow to London City Airport, where Ryan, after consuming alcohol, made inappropriate comments towards cabin crew member Leah Gordon and seized her wrists. In January 2023, he was convicted at Ealing Magistrates' Court, leading to a 12-month suspended sentence issued in September 2023. His appeal was partially rejected, and a separate challenge against this refusal was dismissed by Lord Justice Holgate and Mr Justice Johnson, who cited inconsistencies in Ryan's statements. He is scheduled to return to court for sentencing.
Key facts
- Lee Ryan, 43, lost a High Court challenge against his conviction for racially aggravated assault on a flight attendant.
- The incident occurred in July 2022 on a British Airways flight from Glasgow to London City Airport.
- Ryan drank a bottle of port before the flight and was slurring and staggering.
- He called cabin crew member Leah Gordon a 'chocolate cookie' and grabbed her wrists.
- He was found guilty at Ealing Magistrates' Court in January 2023 of racially aggravated common assault and abusive behavior.
- He received a 12-month suspended sentence at Isleworth Crown Court in September 2023.
- In November 2024, his appeal against the assault conviction was rejected, but an appeal against a threatening conviction was allowed.
- High Court judges Lord Justice Holgate and Mr Justice Johnson dismissed the challenge on Tuesday.
Entities
Artists
- Lee Ryan
Institutions
- British Airways
- Ealing Magistrates' Court
- Isleworth Crown Court
- High Court
- Crown Court
Locations
- Glasgow
- London City Airport
- London