Photo: Wenn
AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd took part in a bizarre court appearance in New Zealand after being charged for threatening to kill another man and drug offences.
Rudd arrived late and according to the New Zealand Herald “winked at the media, drummed a rhythm on the dock, then sped away from court in a black sports car.”
Outside the courthouse, he then jumped on the back of his security guard, flipped the bird to photographers and sped away in a black sports car.
Rudd entered no plea to the charges of threatening to kill another man, and possession of cannabis and methamphetamine. He was remanded on bail to reappear on 2 December.
The remaining members of AC/DC recently spoke out about Rudd's current legal situation and standing with the band. Speaking to The Guardian, lead guitarist Angus Young said that the band had been having difficulties with the drummer, even before the arrest for marijuana and mephamphetamine posession and threatening to kill.
“Well, we had a few problems,” said lead guitarist Young. “The situation he’s in that took everyone by surprise. We had a few issues before with him, even when we were recording it was hard even to get to him to do the recording.
“And then he was supposed to show up to do promos with us, to do video shoots and a few shoots and a few other things, and he never showed up for that either. So, at this stage, it’s a pretty tough call for us.”
If concvicted, Rudd could face up to seven years in prison. “We haven’t had contact,” Young added. “But he has his people that represent him. He’s got himself in a pickle.”
He added: “At this point it’s kind of a question mark. But if we’re touring, there will be a drummer in place, put it that way.”
This month Rudd was charged with making threats to kill, as well as the possession of drugs methamphetamine and cannabis. The arrest was made after his house in Tauranga was raided. It is reported that the 60-year-old rock drummer instigated a plot to hire a hit-man to kill two men. Then, the murder charges were dropped. It is said that Rudd's lawyer Paul argued that he was arrested by police without consulting prosecutors - before Tauranga Crown Solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones decided that there was not enough evidence to warrant the charge of attempting to procure murder.
Meanwhile, AC/DC will be releasing their new album Rock or Bust on 1 December - their first without guitarist Malcolm Young who is suffering with dementia.
