Blue’s Lee Ryan tells court ‘I’m not racist’ after flight attendant incident

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Lee Ryan will stand trial at Ealing Magistrates Court in London (Picture: PA)

Blue singer Lee Ryan testified during his trial before magistrates that he was drunk when he called a dark chocolate flight attendant before his arrest last summer.

In August, it was reported that the 39-year-old popstar became disruptive on a flight from Glasgow to London when no alcohol was being served. Staff reportedly radioed and the singer was arrested when the plane landed at London City Airport.

He was later charged with abusing and assaulting a crew member on board a British Airways flight and assaulting a police officer.

Ryan was pictured arriving at Ealing Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for the start of the trial.

According to The Sun, he had previously denied being assaulted by beating, assaulting a police officer and behaving abusively towards a cabin crew member, but had previously pleaded guilty to being drunk on a plane.

He is also charged with willful harassment aggravated by race or religion.

After a day of testimony, Ryan was found guilty of racially aggravated assault.

Ryan, 39, kept his head down as he entered the court building (Picture: PA) The blue star is accused of abusing and assaulting a member of crew on board a British Airways flight and assaulting a police office (Picture: PA) Ryan has reportedly denied the assault charges (Picture: PA) Ryan was arrested after his flight landed in London last summer (Picture: PA)

In court on Thursday, Ryan allegedly said he drank an entire bottle of port and ate cheese in the BA lounge after the flight was delayed.

Sharing her version of events, the unnamed flight attendant told the court: He was commenting on my complexion, you’re my chocolate darling, my chocolate cookie and I’m having your kids in chocolate.

It was like he said I was beautiful to a black person because of the way he described my color.

The witness claimed that Ryan then approached her from behind saying: Before I get off this plane, I need a kiss from you.

The All Rise singer was seen smiling as he left court on Thursday (Picture: PA) Ryan told the court he was not racist when explaining the events that took place during the robbery (Picture : PA)

After telling him to stay away, she said he grabbed both her wrists before the passengers intervened.

She said: He towered over me, as if leaning in to kiss me.

The woman added: I was intimidated, I felt a little embarrassed like I wasn’t doing my duty properly.

Getting comments about my color, whether intentional or not, was just unacceptable and so derogatory.

I just felt like it wasn’t fair and I shouldn’t have to put up with it. I don’t go to work to be mugged or harassed.

Taking the stand, Ryan began to cry and told the court: I’m sorry.

The member of my group is black, I am not racist, I had black girlfriends, Métis girlfriends. They were jokes, just drunken jokes I guess, there was no malice or intention to upset anyone.

Ryan was referring to his blue bandmate, Simon Webbe, who is black.

Ryan said he acted inappropriately during the flight (Picture: Getty Images)

He continued: I didn’t mean to cause anyone distress or be racist, it was just a poor choice of words I guess.

I’m sorry I touched her, but that’s all I did, touch her lightly, by her admission, he later said.

Ryan also said he referred to the woman as a chocolate chip cookie, adding: They are white, there was no malice in them (the comments).

Part of Ryan’s interview with police officers was read in court, in which he reportedly said: I wish I could call him, apologize and offer him blue tickets for the next tour.

When they claimed he tried to bite one of the officers after he was arrested at London airport, he replied: I don’t remember.

Another flight attendant, who also testified in court, said she was approached by Ryan shortly after the plane left.

She said: He told me he had a problem, that he was being harassed by other passengers, that he was famous and asked if I knew who he was.

The flight attendant also claimed that Ryan asked to be upgraded from economy to business class but was refused as the plane was full. She added that popstar Ryan was slurring his words and staggering and allegedly stopped him from ordering alcohol.

Ryan referenced his Blue teammate Simon Webbe insisting: I’m not racist (Picture: Getty Images)

The flight attendant said: He was angry, saying he was a gold card holder and had to be moved because of it.

After learning of his arrest, Ryan released a statement apologizing for the incident.

In the post shared on social media, the singer explained: Over the past few days, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my behavior and how it affects people around me.

As has been well documented, I have always had problems with alcohol and often talk or do silly things because of it, which in turn has caused problems for myself and those around me. surround. For that, I want to apologize to anyone I’ve upset or offended.

The All Rise singer added: Last week I acted inappropriately on a flight to London and would like to apologize to the airline staff, everyone on the flight, as well as my bandmates, my family and our fans.

The time has come for me to take ownership of the root cause of these problems and for this reason I am reducing my schedule for the time being in order to seek professional help and spend time with my family.

I am aware of how my behavior affects others and as I begin this journey of working on my mental health, I hope to become a better person for it.

Ryan thanked those who sent him messages of support and apologized to anyone who [he has] to drop.

A Met Police spokesperson confirmed Ryan’s arrest at the time and told Metro.co.uk: At approximately 4.40pm on Sunday July 31, officers encountered a flight arriving at the airport of London City from Glasgow.

A 39-year-old man was arrested for disturbing public order. He was taken into custody at an east London police station and released under investigation the following day.

The trial, which is expected to end Thursday, is continuing.

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