AC/DC Drummer Phil Rudd's Cannabis Conviction Quashed
March 31, 2011, 13 years ago
The nzherald reports that AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has had his cannabis conviction quashed on the grounds that it would have stopped him from continuing to tour with the rock band.
Rudd, 56, fought to have his conviction for possession of marijuana wiped from his record when he appeared in Tauranga District Court under his legal name of Phillip Hugh Witschke yesterday (March 31st).
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $250 in December after failing in his bid for a discharge without conviction.
His lawyer, Craig Tuck, argued at the time that the consequences of a conviction outweighed the gravity of his client's crime.
The charge came after police searched Witschke's launch, moored at Tauranga Bridge Marina, on October 7th and found 25g of cannabis onboard.
At yesterday's hearing, Mr. Tuck said his client had been a member of AC/DC, an enterprise which required him to travel extensively around the globe, for most of his adult life.
Mr. Tuck said if the conviction was to stand it would have a significant impact on his client's ability to travel overseas to pursue his professional life and his other business interests.
The drug conviction restricted his ability to enter some countries, particularly Japan, Canada and United States.
