AC/DC's Phil Rudd denies breaking booze ban

Tauranga (New Zealand) (AFP) - Former AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd appeared in a New Zealand court Monday to deny charges of drinking alcohol in defiance of strict home detention conditions.

The 61-year-old was arrested last month at his mansion in Tauranga, in New Zealand's North Island, and charged with possessing and consuming alcohol.

Rudd is under an alcohol ban as one of the conditions of an eight-month sentence of home detention after being convicted of threatening to kill an employee.

In a brief appearance in the Tauranga District Court, he pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded on bail to appear for trial on November 24.

Prosecutor Anna Pollett said there was "very strong evidence" and the case could proceed to a judge-alone hearing.

Rudd chatted briefly to reporters outside the court but his lawyer would not allow any questions relating to the case.

When the ageing rocker was initially sentenced on July 9, Judge Thomas Ingram warned him he would be sent to jail if he breached the terms of his sentence.

"I stone cold guarantee that's where you'll end up. I'm not your headmaster, I'm not your father, I'm a judge," Ingram said at the time. 

AC/DC are currently on their "Rock or Bust" world tour with Briton Chris Slade replacing Rudd on drums. Slade had previously been with the band from 1989-94 during another Rudd absence.

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