Singer Lee Ryan, known for his work with the boy band Blue, is pursuing a Supreme Court challenge to overturn his conviction for racially aggravated assault. The conviction stems from an incident in July 2022 where Ryan, while intoxicated, made offensive remarks to a Black British Airways flight attendant, including stating he "wanted her chocolate babies."
Ryan was removed from a British Airways flight from Glasgow to London City Airport after consuming a bottle of port and becoming abusive to cabin crew when refused further alcohol. He was arrested at London City Airport on suspicion of public order offenses and later convicted in January 2023 on four charges, including being drunk on an aircraft, assaulting a police officer, and behaving abusively towards a crew member, alongside the racially aggravated assault.
Following his conviction, Ryan was given a 12-month suspended sentence in September 2023 and ordered to pay compensation and court costs. He made an appeal against parts of the conviction, which a judge and two magistrates partially granted in November 2024 by overturning the conviction for threatening aircraft crew but upholding the assault conviction.
Ryan then took his case to the High Court in a bid to appeal the crown court's refusal to allow a further appeal. However, his legal challenge was rejected in July 2026, sending his case back to the Crown Court for sentencing. The current Supreme Court challenge represents his final legal attempt to clear his name.
If Ryan's Supreme Court appeal is unsuccessful, he is scheduled to be sentenced again at Isleworth Crown Court. The singer has a history of legal issues, including previous convictions for drink-driving, assault, and financial difficulties leading to bankruptcy.