pistorius2
Oscar at the sentence hearing this morning (Photo: Getty)

World famous Paralympic athlete, Oscar Pistorius has just been sentenced to six years behind bars for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Three years ago, the 29 year old “blade-runner” shot his girlfriend four times through his bathroom door on Valentine’s day and claimed he mistook her for an intruder, fearing his life was in danger.

The sentence  pronounced by Judge Thokozile Masipa also leaves room for a possible parole three years before the end of his prison term. This means Pistorius could serve only three years for what many consider as deliberate murder.

pistorius3
At the entry into the courtroom, the world famous Paralympian was surrounded by guards and streams of reporters and cameramen. The world wanted to know the sentence. (Photo: Reuters)

In a display of mercy, Masipa told the famous amputee to sit while she explained the reasons for her decision. “It now remains for this court to impose an appropriate sentence,” she said. The judge called Pistorius a fallen hero who cannot be at peace and said a long jail term would not serve justice in this matter. Masipa also said she did not consider the late Reeva Steenkamp to have been in an abusive relationship.

pistorius5
An emotional display from Oscar’s sister, Ann as he leaves the courtroom. (Photo: AFP)

 

pistorius4
Parents of the late Reeva Steenkamp didn’t seem to accept the sentence pronounced by Judge Masipa (Photo: AFP)

Oscar Pistorius was previously sentenced by the same judge to five years in prison after she ruled that the paralympian killed her unknowingly. The Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa overturned that judgement claiming Pistorius would have without doubt known that his shots fired would kill anyone behind the door. The court had given a murder verdict. A minimum of 15 years is the jail term for a murder conviction in South Africa but this is not the case with Oscar Pistorius for a case considered fairly unique.

(Read our previous report on the Oscar Pistorius trial HERE)