On one hand, I'm really angry because language is very important in the law and a judges remarks can have repercussions so their words should be chosen carefully. Brave isnt the right word here, not exactly, honest or open maybe would been better. However, I really dont think it's all the terrible. The judge was talking about his initial interview where he immediately admitted his guilt. The judge also said that his brwvyer deserted him when he changed his story and pretended not to understand what the interview had been about.
So, he was commended for being honest and then chastised for living and dragging it to this stage in court.
I do think, no matter what the crime is, that people should be commended for honesty in the first instance. And if they flip flop, they should be given a dressing down for that nonsense. So I can see what the judge was getting it, but he should have been much more precise with his words and a lot more forceful in his rebuke at how the rapist handled everything after that initial interview.