Good behaviour bond for AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd after breach

Former AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd arrives at the Tauranga Court last month. Photo / Andrew Warner

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has been placed on a good-behaviour bond for nine months after breaking an alcohol-ban during his eight-month home detention sentence.

Rudd, 61, was due to defend the breach of his detention conditions relating to the possession or consumption of alcohol at a judge-alone hearing in November - but he pleaded guilty to the breach when he appeared in Tauranga District Court today.

On July 9, Rudd was sentenced to eight months' home detention on charges of threatening to kill, and possession of cannabis and methamphetamine.

Rudd was then warned any breach of his conditions could mean a prison sentence.

The alcohol breach stemmed from Rudd's arrest on July 18 at his Harbour Drive home.

Today, Judge Peter Rollo sentenced Rudd to come up if called upon within nine months, which is effectively a good behaviour bond, and ordered him to pay $130 court costs.

It means if Rudd offends in a similar way in the next nine months he can be re-sentenced on the July 18 breach, and potentially face a prison sentence again.

In a written statement sent to the Bay of Plenty Times, Rudd's lawyer Craig Tuck said he argued that the breach was a matter that occurred "very early" into Rudd's sentence.

Mr Tuck said since the lapse Rudd had shown exemplary compliance with the detention conditions imposed.

"Phil is nearly half away through his sentence and now wants to put the past behind him. Initially in a big dark hole, he is now able to see the light out the other side of the tunnel and looking forward to using what is left of his time on home detention productively.

"It has been a time for him to sit and reflect on what has been and what is to come, in what has been an exceptional career with the best years ahead," he said.

"Phil has gone from from strength-to-strength and he has many opportunities and proposals on offer, including a book and visits from important visitors from overseas."

Earlier this month, Rudd lost his appeal against his convictions and home detention sentence.

Justice Raynor Asher ruled Judge Ingram had not erred in refusing Rudd a discharge without conviction.

Mr Tuck told the Bay of Plenty Times that Rudd did not wish to dwell on the past, and he was keen to move forward with his future plans.

His smartly-dressed client looked "relaxed and happy", and was feeling buoyed by well wishers who shouted out good luck to him as he headed into court, he said. Crown solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones said the Crown had sought a come-up-if-called-upon sentence for the breach.

He declined to comment further on the matter.