AC/DC Drummer Phil Rudd Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Kill His Assistant

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd pleaded guilty in a New Zealand court Tuesday to threatening to kill his former assistant, and could face up to seven years in prison, The Associated Press reports. By doing so, he avoids a trial that was set to begin Tuesday.

Rudd, 60, also pleaded guilty to drug possession charges related to methamphetamine and marijuana. He admitted that he had offered $200,000, a motorbike, one of his cars or a house to an associate in order to have his assistant "taken out." Rudd also admitted to threatening the intended victim personally.

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd charged in murder plot

Rudd's anger stemmed from him feeling that security wasn't tight enough at an album release party he threw in August, the AP reports. After the party, he fired several members of his staff, including the intended victim. Police found the drugs when they searched Rudd's home in November.

In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped a second charge of threatening to kill against Rudd. A murder-for-hire charge was also previously dropped.

Rudd was released on bail and will be sentenced in June. AC/DC has hired a replacement drummer for its upcoming "Rock or Bust" tour.

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