Lee Ryan was found guilty of racially aggravated assault by Ealing Magistrates’ Court – but he denies being racist as his bandmate is black.
The singer was in court after being arrested in July 2022 following an incident onboard a British Airways flight from Glasgow to London City Airport involving two female flight attendants.
The court heard how he made drunken advances towards two female cabin crew members onboard the flight after consuming an entire bottle of port.
During the flight, he told a black flight attendant “I want your chocolate children” before describing her as a “chocolate cookie”.
(Image: Getty Images)
Ms Gordon told the court that Mr Ryan, 39, made advances towards her and later grabbed her by both wrists.
Appearing emotional in the dock, he claimed that he was “sorry”, before going on to say: “My band member is black, I’m not racist, I’ve had black girlfriends, mixed-race girlfriends.
“It was banter, just drunk banter I suppose, there was no malice or intention to upset anyone.”
The singer went on to say he didn’t mean to cause distress or be racist, adding that it was “just a poor choice of words” before denying the word chocolate was meant with malice.
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On his “chocolate chip cookie” comments, he said: “They’re white,” before saying he was “sorry” that he had touched Ms Gordon.
Speaking in court, Leah 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.’
“It felt like he was saying I was beautiful for a black person because of the way he was describing my colour.”
(Image: PA)
She alleges that Mr Ryan said: “Before I get off this plane I need a kiss from you,” to which she explained he needed to “stay away” – a court heard Ms Gordon claim Lee later grabbed both of her wrists after her knockback.
“He was towering over me, like he was leaning in to give me a kiss,” she said before going on to add: “I was intimidated, I felt a bit embarrassed like I wasn’t doing my duty properly.
“To get comments about my colour whether intentional or not, it 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 assaulted or harassed.”
An emotional Lee told a court that he was “sorry” that he “touched her” before saying: “That’s all I did, touch her lightly, by her admission.”
In an interview with police officers who arrested him, he said: “I wish I could ring her up and apologise and offer her some Blue tickets for the next tour.”
The trial, which is expected to conclude on Thursday, continues.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
