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Artist News Legal
Phil Rudd loses appeal over sentence
By Andy Malt | Published on Wednesday 7 October 2015
Former (it seems pretty fair to say) AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has lost an appeal against that sentence he received after being convicted of both threatening to kill and drug possession earlier this year. Rudd claimed that eight months under house arrest and a fine of NZ$120,000 (a bit over £50,000) was “excessive”. A New Zealand high court judge did not agree.
Part of Rudd’s complaint was that the sentence could stop him from rejoining AC/DC – both because the band are already out on what they say is a farewell tour, and his conviction could cause issues getting visas. Though the judge noted that, despite Rudd’s desire to work with the band again, there was no sign that his former bandmates felt the same.
According to The Guardian, Justice Raynor Asher told the musician: “First, the band would have to want him to play with them. Second, the convictions would have to operate as a barrier to him travelling with them on tour. Neither are certain. [And] it is far from clear that at the time when the offending took place there was any place in the band available to Mr Rudd, given his drug addiction and state of mind”.
Rudd is next due in court for a hearing on separate accusations that he breached the rules of his home detention in July, for which he has already spent one night in jail.
