Phil Rudd, photo credit: John Ford, Getty Images
Founding AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was sentenced today (Thursday June 9th) by the Tauranga District Court in New Zealand to 8 months of home detention for his charges of drug possession and threatening to kill.
Rudd was present in court for his sentencing, having already pled guilty to possession of cannabis and methamphetamine and one charge for making a threat to kill someone. He had hoped to have the charges dismissed.
Judge Thomas Ingram presided over the case, and gave Rudd a stern warning to not break his sentencing:
“I stone cold guarantee that’s (jail) where you’ll end up”. “I’m not your headmaster, I’m not your father. I’m a judge.”
Rudd will serve out his sentence in is mansion for the duration the the 8 months. Arrested and charged with the drug offenses and attempting to “procure a murder” of his former personal assistant last November, Rudd has been embroiled in drama ever since. He was not officially terminated from AC/DC and has said repeatedly in the press that expects to play with them again someday, although his band mates are apparently “not talking to him”.
Chris Slade was invited back into AC/DC earlier this year and at least for the time being, is expected to remain behind the drum throne for the legendary band. AC/DC continues to tour behind 2014’s Rock Or Bust (Columbia) album and is celebrating 40+ years as a touring band in 2015.
