Apology from rock star in air rage case

REM guitarist Peter Buck has apologised outside court after he was charged with a string of offences in an alleged air rage incident.

Buck, a 44-year-old father of two, was at Uxbridge Magistrates Court, west London, to face the charges which included two counts of assault against British Airways crew members.

The alleged incident happened on Saturday during a Trans-Atlantic flight from Seattle to London Heathrow. The case was adjourned until June 18 and Buck was granted bail until then.

Outside court Bertis Downs, REM's US lawyer read out a statement written by Buck. It said: "I am grateful for the court allowing me to undertake our promotional tour."

REM are due to play the South Africa Freedom Day concert in London's Trafalgar Square on April 29. They will then do a tour around the world to promote their new album, Reveal.

The statement added: "The matter will now be delayed until mid-June and of course I will be here. I am sorry for the incident and of course I am embarrassed about the whole thing. However, I have been advised not to talk about it further."

Earlier the charges against Buck were read out in court and previous bail conditions, stating that Buck must surrender his passport, were withdrawn. Trevor Burke, for Buck, asked magistrates to do this so Buck could continue with his promotional tour.

The band's lead guitarist faced charges that on April 21, he disobeyed a lawful command of the commander of an aircraft.

He was further accused of being drunk on an aircraft, of damaging a quantity of crockery belonging to British Airways and of using threatening behaviour. Buck was also charged with assaulting crew members Mario Agius and Holly Ward.

Magistrates imposed new bail conditions which set a surety of a combined total of £30,000. They also ordered Buck not to contact prosecution witnesses or any members of the crew on board that flight.