Lee Ryan trying to reverse plea for assaulting police officer on drunken flight
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 Ryan told Leah Gordon, a black flight attendant, “I want your chocolate children” and called her "my chocolate cookie".
Ms Gordon said Ryan 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 Ryan heading to his trial in January (PA)
Ryan is known for performing with boy band Blue (PA)Ryan 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.
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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 Ryan's defence team to vacate the guilty plea for assault of an emergency worker.
Ryan with his Blue bandmates in 2015 (Getty Images)The application means Ryan'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 Ryan several times to stop trying to bite him.
Luke Bowyer, prosecuting, also said Ryan 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.
Lee Ryan is trying to reverse one of his pleas (Getty)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.
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Ryan, who was granted unconditional bail after the trial, is not expected to appear at the hearing next week.
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