Martial arts fighter 'was intended target of a hitman' as murder plot charges against AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd are dropped
International martial arts fighter Anthony Netzler was allegedly on Phil Rudd's hit list before charges were dropped
The 46-year-old is now embroiled in the New Zealand legal drama
Alleged hitman says AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was in a dispute with 'working girls'
The man said Rudd was still a 'good fella' with a 'big heart '
Rudd was charged with attempting to procure a murder, threatening to kill and drugs charges
The procure a murder charges were dropped but he must still face court over drug matters
20-year-old was released on bail to reappear in court on November 27
By Sarah Carty and Leesa Smith and Daniel Piotrowski for Daily Mail Australia and Australian Associated Press
Published: 10:06 EST, 7 November 2014 | Updated: 11:21 EST, 7 November 2014
An international martial arts fighter was allegedly one of two intended targets of a hitman allegedly hired by AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd.
According to The Daily Telegraph, 46-year-old Anthony Netzler was allegedly threatened by Rudd in September and is now a part of the New Zealand legal drama.
Netzler is a well know MMA champion in his home country of New Zealand and Rudd is also a keen MMA fan and Tauranga boxing supporter.
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An international martial arts fighter was allegedly one of two intended victims who appeared on AC/DC musician Phil Rudd's hit list
It is understood Netzler met Rudd when he returned to New Zealand following years spent refining his art overseas.
It was alleged that Rudd hired a hit-man to take down two men.
Speaking to the newspaper, Netzler's cousin said Rudd had picked the wrong man to mess with.
It is understood Netzler met Rudd when he returned to New Zealand following years spent refining his art overseas
'I wouldn't muck around with him at all because he'd have your lights out before you could blink,' he said.
Another man who has previously confirmed to the newspaper that he was the intended victim told them that he was a former employee of Rudd's, but refused to elaborate any further.
Earlier on Friday, Tauranga Crown Solicitor confirmed that the procure a murder charge against Rudd had been dropped.
Rudd's lawyer Paul Mabey QC said Crown Solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones had made his decision because there was insufficient evidence to justify the charge.
In a press release, his lawyer defended his client, stating that the claims should never have been laid.
Anthony Netzler is a well know MMA champion in his home country New Zealand and Rudd is also a keen MMA fan and Tauranga boxing supporter
It was alleged that Phil Rudd hired a hit-man to take down two men including New Zealand martial arts fighter Anthony Netzler
'The charge alleging an attempt to procure murder should never have been laid. The Crown Solicitor's opinion was not sought. The charge is now withdrawn - within 24 hours of Mr Rudd's first appearance in Court,' he said.
'Mr Rudd has suffered unnecessary and extremely damaging publicity as a result of widespread and sensational reporting of a very serious allegation, which on any basis was never justified,'
Phil Rudd appeared outside his Tauranga house and swore at the media as the news broke that he had been charged with threatening to kill and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis
'The damage to Mr Rudd is incalculable. Questions arise as to the degree of care taken by those responsible for arresting and charging him with Attempting to Procure Murder,'
'Citizens are entitled to a responsible exercise of the power to charge which, as is proved here, can give rise to potentially irreversible damage if that power is not exercised responsibly,'
'Mr Rudd is considering any possible remedies he may have,' he finished.
On Thursday, the 60-year-old musician was charged and appeared in court following a police raid on his North Island home in New Zealand.
AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd pictured stepping out of a police car without shoes on Thursday
Rudd's lawyer Paul Mabey QC said Crown Solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones had withdrawn the 'attemping to procure murder' charge because there was insufficient evidence
AC/DC Drummer taken into custody by New Zealand police
If he had been found guilty of threatening to kill, Rudd could have faced a maximum seven-year prison sentence, The New Zealand Herald reported.
He will reappear in court on November 27.
Earlier, the man allegedly hired as a hitman by Rudd said he was asked to become his bodyguard after the rocker said he was threatened for not paying 'working girls'.
The alleged hitman, whose name has been suppressed, told The Sydney Morning Herald in an exclusive interview, that Rudd was the 'Hugh Hefner of Tauranga' claiming that the amount he spent on 'company is like someone's yearly wage'.
The man told Fairfax Media: 'The girls that he gets, working girls and that, they're p***ed off, he tells them "Nah I'm not paying you" and then the partners come and say they want their money.'
The Daily Telegraph reported that the man went on fishing and helicopter trips with Rudd who also allowed him to drive his flashy sports cars.
He added that although Rudd was burning his bridges with those 'who care about him' he was still a 'good fella' with a 'big heart'.
'You’ve got to feel sorry for him – just the expectations everyone has of him,' he said.
When Daily Mail Australia contacted the band's ex-manager, Michael Browning, he had only just heard the news and said it was a 'bit of a shock, but there you go'.
A statement on the band's website said: 'We've only become aware of Phil's arrest as the news was breaking.
'We have no further comment. Phil’s absence will not affect the release of our new album Rock or Bust and upcoming tour next year.'
The ageing rocker was silent during a brief, shoeless appearance in Tauranga District Court that afternoon and has been released on bail until his next appearance on November 27.
According to court documents, Rudd is accused of attempting to hire one person to kill two others between September 25 and September 26.
He is also accused of threatening to kill a complainant on September 26.
Details of the complaints and the names of the alleged intended targets and hitman were suppressed by Judge Louis Bidois.
At the request of defence lawyer Tony Rickard-Simms, Rudd was remanded on bail until November 27 when he will reappear in court.
His bail conditions include that he lives at his Bureta home on the North Island and not contact any of the complainants.
Biographer Jesse Fink, author of the new book, The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC, said he was 'stunned, absolutely stunned'.
Mr Fink told Daily Mail Australia Rudd had 'deteriorated' in recent years.
'You go back and you see photos of Phil from the '70s, he's a beautiful man, a very handsome man.
'To see someone deteriorate as much as he has is quite alarming.'
The Australian-born drummer has lived in Tauranga for a number of years.
He first moved to New Zealand in 1983 after being sacked by the band, but hooked up with the band again in 1994.
Rudd was noticeably absent from some promotional material and photographs for AC/DC's 16th studio album, Rock or Bust, which will be released in Australia on November 28.
His absence sparked rumours among fans that something was going on.
'I don't think AC/DC did themselves a great service by not saying anything,' Mr Fink said.
'All they did was just fuel the rumour mill, which has been churning for some time now.
In 2011, he opened a restaurant there, Phil's Place, which The New Zealand Herald described as 'upmarket'.
Rudd also released a solo album, Head Job, in September.