Oscar Pistorius sentenced to five years in jail for killing girlfriend

Oscar Pistorius (right) with girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

Pretoria, Oct 21 (IANS)

South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius was Tuesday sentenced to five years in jail for culpable homicide of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

He was sentenced at the Pretoria High Court by Judge Thokozile Masipa, Independent online reported.

Pistorius was on trial for fatally shooting Stenkamp through a locked toilet door Feb 14, 2013 at his house in Pretoria, Independent Online reported.

On Sep 11, Judge Thokosile Masipa of the high court in Pretoria found Pistorius not guilty of premeditated murder or murder. He was also acquitted of charges of illegal possession of ammunition and a charge of illegal discharge of a firearm in a public place.

But Sep 12, he was found guilty of culpable homicide and the illegal discharge of a firearm in a restaurant in Johannesburg in January 2013.

The prosecution has called for a sentence of at least 10 years in jail, while the defence feels that correctional supervision - house arrest, community service and attending life skills courses - is the best suited sentence.

However, even after the sentence was announced in Pretoria, the case may not be over. Both the prosecution and the defence have the right to appeal against the verdict.