Tony Veitch's guilty plea to the most serious of his charges came just days before the case was due to go to a depositions hearing, avoiding a lengthy trial.
Today as he made his way through a swarm of photographers, Veitch wouldn't be drawn as he arrived at court.
But he went in knowing the case against him was about to be resolved and jail was unlikely. He had even prepared a statement for when he walked out - a free man at last.
Lawyers for both parties and the judge met yesterday to discuss a plea deal and sentencing.
Auckland District Law Society President Gary Gotlieb says in his opinion, the deal would have been agreed to by Kristine Dunne-Powell.
"My understanding is that she was part of the process and has to be under the Sentencing Act part of the process," Mr Gotlieb says. "Her views are taken into account."
As a result off the deal, six assault charges brought by the police were dropped.
Police say they were prepared to go to depositions, but opted instead for a speedy resolution after talking to Ms Dunne-Powell.
"The Victims' Rights Act dictates that we take the opinions and views of the victim and we have," says Inspector Scott Beard. "We've worked closely with the victim through the whole case."
The guilty plea came nine months after the allegations first broke. And while the judge gave Veitch credit for today's guilty plea, a charity that works to stop domestic violence says it could have been resolved sooner.
"I didn't see this as an early plea at all," says Jill Proudfoot from Preventing Violence in the Home. "I saw this as a last minute before the depositions."
Ms Proudfoot says she is pleased the judge pinned responsibility for what happened squarely on Veitch, but still has reservations about the sentence.
"There's part of me that's really outraged that he can do 300 hours community work and that's the end of it for him," Ms Proudfoot says.
Women's Refuge also believes the sentence was light, but says the outcome was a good one for the victim.
But there is concern among anti-violence groups that the immense media and public exposure around the Veitch case has now made it difficult for other women with high profile, abusive partners to come forward.
The message from Women's Refuge though is clear - come forward, make a stand and hold them accountable.
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