Lee Ryan trying to reverse plea for assaulting police officer after drunken flight row

2023-03-09

Blue singer Lee Ryan is trying to reverse his plea for drunkenly assaulting a police officer when he was arrested on a flight from Glasgow.

The 39-year-old was found guilty by magistrates after a trial in January of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards cabin crew and racially aggravated assault.

At that trial, the court heard Lee told Leah Gordon, a black flight attendant, “I want your chocolate children” and called her "my chocolate cookie".

She said that the singer approached her from behind, saying: “Before I get off this plane I need a kiss from you" and grabbed both her wrists before passengers intervened.

Lee also admitted an offence of being drunk on an aircraft, telling the trial he drank a whole bottle of port in the British Airways lounge before boarding the flight to London City Airport on July 31 last year.

He also admitted assaulting a police officer – the plea he is now trying to reverse.

A hearing was due to take place at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court this morning but was rescheduled to next week.

Court staff confirmed an application has been made by Lee's defence team to vacate the guilty plea for assault of an emergency worker.

The application means Lee's sentencing, which was due to take place at the end of February, has been placed on hold.

Video footage of the arrest at the London airport was played at the trial at Ealing Magistrates' Court, in which an officer could be heard warning Lee several times to stop trying to bite him.

Luke Bowyer, prosecuting, also said he was “snarling” at the officers.

He was also seen crying on the floor and repeatedly saying “I’ve done nothing wrong”.

The vacation of plea hearing is listed for April.

If successful, a new trial to hear evidence about the assault could take place.

At Uxbridge Magistrates' Court this morning, district judge Deborah Wright said an administrative hearing will take place next week ahead of the full hearing.

Lee, who was granted unconditional bail after the trial, is not expected to appear at the hearing next week.

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