South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been given a five-year prison term for killing his girlfriend Reeva
Steenkamp.
The sentencing by Judge Thokozile Masipa on Tuesday
brings an end to high-profile seven months trial that has captured public attention in
South Africa and beyond.
Pistorius also got a three- year suspended sentence for a firearm charge.
The Parents of Steenkamp told reporters that they were happy with the sentence and relieved the case was over
and that- at least- Pistorius will “pay something”.
Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide but cleared of murder.
Prosecutors had called for a minimum 10-year in jail term, and the defence had
argued for community
service and house arrest, saying he would be vulnerable in prison.
The defence said it expected Pistorius to serve less than a
year in prison, with the rest under house arrest.
Judge Masipa however said she
considered her sentence “fair and just, both to society
and to the accused.”
Miss Steenkamp, a 29-year- old model, reality TV star and
law graduate, was hit three times by bullets fired by Pistorius through a toilet
door.
