SYDNEY — A New Zealand judge sentenced AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd to eight months of home detention on Thursday after the musician pleaded guilty to threatening to kill a man who used to work for him, along with possession of methamphetamine and marijuana.
The 61-year-old Australian-born drummer had faced up to seven years in prison on the threatening to kill charge, but his lawyer had argued for the conviction to be set aside.
During the hearing, Tauranga District Court Judge Thomas Ingram said Rudd had a limited criminal history and posed a low risk of re-offending, Radio New Zealand reported. But Ingram said Rudd had been found with a substantial amount of drugs.
Rudd has been out on bail since pleading guilty to the charges in April, when he acknowledged in a court summary of facts that he’d offered large amounts of cash, vehicles and a house to an associate after asking him to have the victim “taken out.” He also acknowledged that he’d directly said to the victim he was going to kill him.
It’s unclear whether Rudd has a future with the Australian rock band he’s been part of on and off for almost four decades. The band is currently using Welsh drummer Chris Slade for its “Rock or Bust” album tour.
