Blue star guilty of racially aggravated assault

Lee Ryan from the boyband Blue has been found guilty of the racially aggravated assault of a female cabin crew member during a flight to London.

Ealing Magistrates Court heard the incident happened while he was drunk on a British Airways flight from Glasgow to the Capital in July last year.

The 39 year old told a black flight attendant "I want your chocolate children" while drunk.

The court heard the singer, who had drunk a whole bottle of port before boarding, was "slurring his words and staggering around".

After being refused more alcohol on the plane and told to return to his seat, Ryan made comments about Leah Gordon's looks, calling her a "chocolate cookie" before grabbing her wrists.

Ms Gordon said: "He was making comments about my complexion, you're my chocolate darling, my chocolate cookie, and I'm going to have your chocolate children."

Police footage showed Ryan "snarling" and swearing at officers after biting one of them.

In video footage of the arrest at the London airport, played in court, Ryan could be seen crying on the floor and repeatedly saying "I've done nothing wrong".

He was also warned several times by Pc Bryett to stop trying to bite him.

Luke Bowyer, prosecuting, said Ryan was "snarling" at officers before "sobbing uncontrollably".

He also told the court: "You've got a celebrity who believes he is entitled to harassing a woman."

Mike Rainford, defending, argued no abusive language was used.

Ryan was found guilty at Ealing Magistrates' Court of being drunk on an aircraft, assaulting a police officer by biting him, racially aggravated common assault by beating and behaving in an abusive way towards the cabin crew member.

He was tearful in the dock before giving evidence and told the court his actions were merely "playful" and denied use of the word chocolate was racist.

After the hearing, members of the press saw Ryan running into a nearby primary school to avoid photographers.

The 39 year old was granted unconditional bail and the case has been adjourned until February.

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