Former Blue singer Lee Ryan is seeking an appeal at the Supreme Court regarding his conviction for assault and racially aggravated behavior, according to reports from the BBC. The legal challenge follows previous court proceedings stemming from an incident aboard a British Airways flight in July 2022.
Supreme Court Appeal Details
According to the BBC, legal representatives for the pop musician have lodged an application to take the case to the United Kingdom’s highest court. The move follows a previous ruling at Isleworth Crown Court, where Ryan’s appeal against his initial magistrates’ court conviction was dismissed.
The case stems from an incident on a flight from Ouarzazate, Morocco, to London Heathrow on July 31, 2022. During the flight, Ryan was found to have behaved in a drunken and aggressive manner toward cabin crew after being refused alcohol.
Background of the Conviction
In November 2023, a judge at Isleworth Crown Court upheld Ryan’s convictions for racially aggravated assault by beating and behaving in a disruptive manner toward a cabin crew member. The court heard that the singer directed racially offensive language toward a flight attendant and grabbed her by the arm.
Following the unsuccessful crown court appeal, Ryan’s legal team is now attempting to take the matter further. The Supreme Court must grant permission before the case can proceed to a full hearing.
Legal Next Steps
The Supreme Court will review the application to determine whether the case raises a point of law of general public importance. As reported by the BBC, no date has yet been set for the court to decide on whether to hear the appeal.
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