Lee Ryan in court over 'road rage' incident
Wednesday, 07 May 2008 18:14
Former Blue singer Lee Ryan punched taxi driver, court hears
Former Blue singer Lee Ryan attacked a taxi driver by punching him in the head on New Year's Eve, a court heard today.
The 25-year-old is accused of assaulting Naeem Ibrahim in Surrey last year after the singer's fiancée drove into the back of the cab driver's vehicle on Westerham Road, Oxted.
Mr Ryan, who denies the charges, was reportedly on his way to a party at the time of the incident, which has been described as a 'road rage' attack.
An argument is said to have ensued between the two men, which culminated in Mr Ryan striking Mr Ibrahim three times.
At the time, the Sun newspaper quoted a 'friend' of the pop star as saying: "Lee was going to a party and there was a bit of a crash, nothing big, but he lost his temper.
"A taxi driver got the brunt of it and then the law turned up and nicked Lee. He was stuck in a patrol car... it did not improve his mood and ruined his New Year's Eve."
The case, which is being heard at Redhill Magistrates Court, had been delayed because Mr Ibrahim was in India and was unable to attend.