The sentence handed down to a Hastings man for a series of sexual assaults on an intellectually disabled woman has been slammed by the Sensible Sentencing Trust.
Douglas McInnes was found guilty of four charges of sexual offending against a person with significant impairment, and sentenced to a minimum non-parole period of five years when a non-parole period of 10 years was available.
Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesperson Scott Guthrie said the sentencing of the 63-year-old was a "total disregard of the law".
The court was told that McInnes had a long history of sexual offending dating back to 1969. His last offence was committed in 2002 against a 12-year-old girl and saw a six-year prison term imposed.
When his recent offending occurred, McInnes was subject to a court-imposed extensive supervision order and electronic bail.