AC/DC Drummer Escapes Criminal Conviction

June 5, 2007

New Zealand's Bay of Plenty Times reports: The drummer of rock band AC/DC has escaped a criminal conviction because it would hurt his career — despite admitting he assaulted his former partner in Mount Maunganui.

Phillip Rudd, who was born Phillip Hugh Norman Witschke Rudzevecuis, pleaded guilty to one charge of common assault when he appeared in Tauranga District Court yesterday.

The self-employed musician pleaded guilty after police reduced the charge from the more serious offence of male assaults female, which attracts a prison sentence of up to two years.

But Judge Robert Kerr discharged Witschke, 53, without conviction.

His lawyer, Matthew Ward-Johnson, successfully argued a conviction would have a significant impact on his client's musical career and therefore outweigh the gravity of his offence.

The court was told that at 12.10pm on March 27, Witschke was on his boat with his two children at the Mount Maunganui marina when his former partner arrived to pick up the children, aged four and 10.

A discussion about money ensued which became heated, at which point Witschke pushed his chest into his ex-partner and held a clenched fist to her face in threatening manner.

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