New Zealand’s High Court has dismissed an appeal by AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd against his convictions.
Earlier this year, Rudd pleaded guilty to charges of threatening to kill, and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis.On July 9th in Tauranga District Court, he was sentenced to eight months’ home detention, together with six months of post-release conditions, and ordered to pay $NZ120,000 ($78,531 US dollars) reparation.
He argued he should have been discharged without conviction and appealed against his sentence on the basis that it is manifestly excessive.
In a High Court judgment released on Tuesday, Justice Raynor Asher dismissed the appeal. He said he had to decide whether the consequences of a conviction were out of all proportion to the gravity of the offence.
“In my view they are not. Even with the convictions, Mr. Rudd may practice as a musician in session work and in concerts in New Zealand and in other countries.”
The judgment notes there’s a potential for Rudd to lose significant income because of the conviction but says for that to arise, two things would have to happen.
“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. 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.”
Justice Asher says that should Rudd turn his life around so that the band wanted him to be part of it, it is by no means clear that the convictions would pose an insuperable barrier to his being a part of that band.
“It is only in certain countries that there is a certain problem arising from the convictions, and there is nothing to indicate that if Mr Rudd was a greatly wanted band member that his inability to travel to those countries would mean that he could not be employed in other countries.”
[Dana’s note: Thank you to our very own Harry Taint for passing this story along. Thanks again, Harry.]
source: smh.com.au
9 Responses
phil’s drumming has conviction and appeal.
Again with the glamorozed smoking. Phil is inspiring a generation of 60 year olds to give up a long and great career in favor of being a murder ordering druggie. Blotzer is way more relevant. Starting in 2016, there is no way President Trump is allowing Phil in the U.S.A. so his ballroom days are over.
Mike, is that a new word you have invented? Glamorozed? Kinda like Moronic-ozed?
Harry, are you the expert on all things moronic?
Absolutely! How else you gonna have fun?
Good answer!
The kindle fire does spell check and makes mistakes. You are a very hurtful person.
guys, stop fighting like dee and paul. we need to join forces for the greater good.
Never heard of him