A Dunedin man who slapped, strangled and tried to rape a woman has been released from prison after six months - because of his autism

The Otago Daily Times reports Michael John Danyon Fraser's two years and three months in jail has been converted to six months' home detention - after a successful appeal to the High Court this month.

Justice Jonathan Eaton said he accepted the defendant's autism spectrum disorder was a key aspect - and tipped the balance in favour of a community-based sentence.