AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has been convicted of possession of marijuana by a New Zealand court, reports the New Zealand Herald.
Rudd was arrested on October 7 after police raided his boat which was anchored at the Tauranga Beach Marina, North Island. During their search they found 25 grams of the drug on board, reports Music-news.com.
Despite offering a guilty plea at Tauranga District Court, Rudd‘s plea for leniency was rejected by Magistrate Robyn Paterson, who convicted the rocker of marijuana possession as well as imposing a fine of $250 (£121) and $133 (£65) in court costs.
While dismissing Rudd‘s plea to not have the charge added to his record, Paterson told him his arrest was “not just an accident. You were blindly ignoring the law. You have been playing Russian roulette”.
The drummer joined the rockers in 1975, but was fired in 1983 after falling out with guitarist Malcolm Young. He rejoined in 1993 and has been a mainstay ever since, but may find touring a lot more difficult with a drug charge hanging round his neck. Many governments, including the US’s, do not give visas to those who’ve been convicted of drug possession.
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