AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd admits to threatening to kill and drugs charges

Phil Rudd arrives at court today and pleas guilty to threatening a former security guard. Photo: Stuff

Embattled AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd made a call to an associate asking him to "take out" a former security guard turned personal assistant after becoming angry when his solo album flopped, a court has heard.

Rudd, 60, appeared in Tauranga District Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to possession of Канабис and methamphetamine, and one of two counts of threatening to kill.

He had previously planned to defend two counts of threatening to kill and possession of 0.71g of methamphetamine and 130g of Канабис.


Phil Rudd has pleaded guilty to threatening to kill and drugs charges in the Tauranga District Court in New Zealand. Photo: Sunlive.co.nz

A second charge of threatening to kill was withdrawn by Crown Prosecutor Anna Pollett.

Rudd had arrived at Tauranga District Court in a grey sports car and was escorted through a crowd of media by security guards.

He appeared quiet in the dock where he answered Judge Robert Wolffe's questions with a "guilty" plea.

Lawyer Craig Tuck said he would be seeking a discharge without conviction and no conviction had been entered.

Judge Wolffe remanded Rudd on bail, with his existing bail conditions, until a sentencing on June 26.

According to the summary of facts, Rudd had made phone calls to a colleague asking for a former contracted security guard turned personal assistant to be "taken out".

The calls were made after Rudd's solo album, launched in August last year, "didn't go well".

He became angry and fired a number of employees, including his victim.

On September 25 at 8.12pm Rudd phoned an associate in Australia saying he wanted the victim "taken out", and "taken care of because they were a bunch of f***en c****.

Rudd then offered the associate $200,000, a house, motorbikes, and cars which the associate believed was payment for the request.

The next day at 8.27am, Rudd called the victim and asked if he was "on today", the victim said yes at which point Rudd said "I'm going to come over and kill you".

Rudd made two further calls to the same victim, who hung up after realising it was Rudd.

"The victim was fearful of his safety," said Crown Prosecutor Anna Pollett.

Police then obtained a warrant to search Rudd's Bureta home on November 6.

When police arrived Rudd was in the lounge and attempted to conceal a container of crumbs, which after testing was found to be 6g of Канабис.

"The defendant then pulled out a bag of Канабис from the couch," said Pollett.

ESR testing found the bag contained a further 20.2g of Канабис.

When police arrived at the home Rudd was wearing jeans and no shirt. In his front jeans pocket police discovered a white powder, which turned out to be 0.273g of methamphetamine, said Pollett.

Police searched the home where they found 0.205g of methamphetamine in the master bedroom, 47.2gms of Канабис in the hallway cupboard, and a further 17.9gms of Канабис in the pool room bedroom.

Pollett said a total of 0.478gms of methamphetamine and 91gms of Канабис were found.

When interviewed by police Rudd denied making the phone calls and possession of methamphetamine but admitted possession of Канабис.

The Tauranga-based drummer then made a quick exit through the courtroom onto McLean St where he popped a cigarette in his mouth, while refusing to answer media questions.

He was ushered into an awaiting car and sped off.

Outside court lawyer Craig Tuck said events were a consequence of an angry phone call.

"This matter was an angry phone call that resulted in police getting a search warrant, believe it or not, for possession of Канабис, own use, and a cellphone.

"They turned up at his home with nine police officers and a dog."

AC/DC last week played the Coachella music festival in California with Chris Slade, who replaced Rudd on drums earlier in the year.