AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has murder plot charge withdrawn

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has seen the charge of attempting to procure a murder withdrawn. Rudd was sensationally arrested yesterday.

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has had the charge of attempting to hire a hitman to kill two people withdrawn.

Rudd was sensationally arrested in the New Zealand city of Tauranga and faced court yesterday charged with attempting to procure a murder.

He was also charged with threatening to kill, and the possession of methamphetamine and cannabis.

But today the lawyer acting for Rudd said the murder plot charge had been withdrawn.

Paul Mabey QC told the New Zealand Herald: “I was advised by the (Tauranga) Crown Solicitor, (Greg) Hollister-Jones, that he had reviewed the police file and the available evidence to support the charge of attempting to procure murder.

“He had formed the view that there was insufficient evidence to justify that charge. He has now withdrawn the charge.”

Mr Mabey said the charge should never have been laid.

“The Crown Solicitors opinion was not sought. The charge is now withdrawn — within 24 hours of Mr Rudd’s first appearance in court.”

He said his client had “suffered unnecessary and extremely damaging publicity as a result of widespread and sensational reporting of a very serious allegation, which on any basis was never justified”.

Phil Rudd arrives in court yesterday.

Rudd’s arrest made headlines around the world and Mr Mabey said the damage he’d suffered as a result had been “incalculable”.

A spokeswoman for Mr Hollister-Jones confirmed the procuring charge had been withdrawn.

Rudd still faces the remaining charges and will return to court on November 27.

The alleged intended hitman said he had been friends with Rudd and met him when he ran a parlour in Tauranga.

He said the rock drummer was “a good fella”, though he’d had some problems.

Phil Rudd will return to court on November 27.

The man told New Zealand media Rudd would often let him drive his cars — the latest Ferrari and Lamborghini models — as well as going for trips in his helicopter or going out fishing.

But when asked about murder plot allegations, the man replied: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The ageing rocker had recently become irritable and burnt a lot of bridges.

“He’s burning the ones who care about him,” the man said.

Despite the allegations, Rudd was a good person, the man said.

“The joys of being a rock star, always in the spotlight. You’ve got to feel sorry for him — just the expectations everyone has of him. He’s a good fella,” he said.

“He’s got a big heart.”

The man added police called him yesterday morning to inform him of Rudd’s arrest.

Both of the intended alleged victims refused to comment yesterday.

More to come

Originally published as AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has murder plot charge withdrawn