REM star denies plane assault

The REM guitarist Peter Buck appeared in court yesterday to deny assaulting British Airways staff in an alleged drunken air-rage incident.

He is accused of attacking Mario Agius and Holly Ward on a flight from Seattle to Heathrow on 21 April this year.

Mr Buck, 44, was flying to London for an REM performance in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the role of the British-based anti-apartheid movement in bringing democracy to South Africa, before the group began a world tour.

He pleaded not guilty to the assault charges and to being drunk on board an aircraft, causing criminal damage and interfering with the performance of a crew member's duties by tampering with a control panel on an external door.

Mr Buck was granted bail of £20,000 and his trial was set for 12 November.