Blue singer Lee Ryan has been found guilty of the racially aggravated assault of a female cabin crew member on a British Airways flight.
It comes following an incident on a journey from Glasgow to London in July last year.
Ealing Magistrates’ Court heard the singer was “slurring his words and staggering around” after drinking a whole bottle of port before the flight.
After boarding the British Airways flight, the 39-year-old was refused alcohol and told to sit down.
The court heard he then told his victim “I want your chocolate children” and called her a “chocolate cookie”, before grabbing her wrist.
Giving evidence, the woman 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.”
Ryan told the court his actions were merely “playful” and denied use of the word chocolate was racist.
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He was found guilty of being drunk on an aircraft, racially aggravated common assault by beating, and behaving in an abusive way towards the cabin crew member.
The singer was also found guilty of assaulting a police officer by biting.
Ryan shot to fame in 2001 with the boyband Blue.
Their court-themed debut song All Rise reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and topped the charts in New Zealand.
Blue went on to score three UK number one singles across four years before splitting in 2005 so the band members could pursue solo careers.
The band reunited last year with an album and UK tour.
