Blue singer Lee Ryan has avoided jail time after he was found guilty of racially aggravated assault this January, due to an incident where Ryan drunkenly assaulted a Black female flight attendant in July 2022.

Ryan 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.

As reported by The Guardian, the Blue member told Leah Gordon, a female member of the aircraft’s cabin crew he wanted her “chocolate children” on a British Airways flight from Glasgow to London. Gordon told the judge of this case that Ryan had called her “beautiful”, stating “He was making comments about my complexion, ‘you’re my chocolate darling, my chocolate cookie’ and ‘I’m going to have your chocolate children'”.

After Gordon told the singer to “stay away” from her, he reportedly grabbed both her wrists before some passengers intervened.

The ‘All Rise’ singer reportedly asked for his seat to be upgraded from economy to business class, however, due to the flight being sold out this was not possible. According to BBC News, another flight attendant Jade Smith told the court that “He told me he had a problem, that he was being harassed by other passengers, that he was famous and asked did I know who he was … He was angry, saying he was a gold card holder and that he needed to be moved because of this.”

Ryan received a 12-month prison sentence for the assault by Judge Nicholas Wood. Wood also ordered Ryan to pay £2500 in compensation to victim Leah Gordon, £750 to Jade Smith and £510 in costs.

Ryan has high-functioning autistic spectrum disorder, and underwent psychological assessments following his arrest. After viewing the results of these assessments, Judge Nicholas Wood declared that Ryan did not pose an ongoing risk to the public. Wood agreed to suspend the jail term for the next 18 months.

According to Sky News, Ealing Magistrates’ Court were informed that Ryan was “slurring his words and staggering around” after drinking an entire bottle of port before his flight on July 31st 2022. Shortly after, Ryan was refused more alcohol on the plane and told to return to his seat, this is when the singer made comments about the flight attendant’s looks.

The Blue pop star confessed to drinking in the British Airways lounge after his flight was delayed, however he claims to have no memory of the incident.