Peter Buck, guitarist for the band REM, today 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, who plays with the group REM, 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 city of Seattle in the north-west United States 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."
Rock legends 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against Buck were read out in court and previous bail conditions, stating that Buck must surrender his passport, were withdrawn.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.
Previous bail conditions imposed on Buck had also required him to remain resident at London's Dorchester Hotel until today's court appearance.
Magistrates imposed new bail conditions which set a surety of a combined total of Stg£30,000.
They also ordered Buck not to contact prosecution witnesses or any members of the crew on board that flight.
REM agent of 22 years, Robert Gold put up the surety for the court.
Outside the court he said: "Hopefully the concert next week will go ahead and we were concerned.
"Peter will be going back to the hotel now to speak to his family.
"They should have been rehearsing today. They have missed a day of rehearsal."
He said the other main REM band members have been upset about the news of Buck's court appearance.
Mr Gold said: "This is completely out of character."
PA