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The Chief High Court Judge Tony Randerson has hit back at criticism over the sentence of former policeman John Dewar, saying the hardship Dewar would face in prison was only a "minor consideration".
Dewar, convicted of a cover-up of Louise Nicholas' historic rape allegations, faced a maximum sentence of seven years. He was jailed for four and a half on Friday.
Justice Randerson said the reduced sentence took into account a "series of factors" that related to Dewar's personal circumstances.
In his sentencing, Judge Rodney Hansen said mitigating factors were that it was a first offence, public vilification and humiliation were a harsh penalty in themselves, and the disruption to Dewar's career and the financial setback would be difficult to recover from at Dewar's stage in life.
The sentence was attacked as too lenient in the Weekend Herald by organisations including the Sensible Sentencing Trust and Women's Refuge.
Justice Randerson said it was a well-established sentencing principle, that any matters that could affect the offender while in prison may be taken into account.
