AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd arrived late at court this morning prompting the judge to briefly issue an arrest warrant.
Phil Rudd gestures to media as he leaves court. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
The 60-year-old musician was making his second appearance in the High Court in Tauranga on a charge of threatening to kill a man and two charges of possession of methamphetamine and cannabis.
Phil Rudd in court Photo: RNZ / Natalie Mankelow
When he failed to arrive on time, Justice Timothy Brewer issued the warrant and gave him until 9.30am to present himself to the court.
The drummer, wearing a black t-shirt, arrived seconds after the warrant was issued, so court proceedings resumed and the warrant was dropped
Justice Brewer ordered the case be sent back to the District Court, because the most serious charge had been withdrawn. The judge will outline his reasons for the transfer in a written document this afternoon.
The charge - of attempting to procure murder - had been dropped after the local Crown Solicitor decided there was insufficient evidence.
Outside court this morning Mr Rudd gestured to waiting media, and was seen climbing onto the back of his security guard.
He almost caused an accident by reversing into the path of an oncoming truck.
Phil Rudd's car in the path of a truck outside Tauranga court Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Later the musician was seen climbing on the back of his security guard Photo: GETTY IMAGES
