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| Oscar Pistorius due back in court as sentencing starts | Oscar Pistorius due back in court as sentencing starts |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| South African athlete Oscar Pistorius returns to court for sentencing after being convicted of killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. | |
| Pistorius was found guilty of the culpable homicide of Ms Steenkamp last month but he was cleared of murder. | Pistorius was found guilty of the culpable homicide of Ms Steenkamp last month but he was cleared of murder. |
| Judge Thokozile Masipa is expected to hear legal arguments and testimony for several days before passing sentence. | |
| Pistorius faces up to 15 years in jail, although Judge Masipa could suspend the sentence or only impose a fine. | Pistorius faces up to 15 years in jail, although Judge Masipa could suspend the sentence or only impose a fine. |
| She said the athlete had acted "negligently" when he shot his girlfriend through a toilet door , but in the "belief that there was an intruder". | She said the athlete had acted "negligently" when he shot his girlfriend through a toilet door , but in the "belief that there was an intruder". |
| The Paralympic sprinter had strenuously denied murdering Ms Steenkamp after a row on Valentine's Day last year, saying he shot her by mistake. | The Paralympic sprinter had strenuously denied murdering Ms Steenkamp after a row on Valentine's Day last year, saying he shot her by mistake. |
| Ms Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model and law graduate, was hit three times by bullets shot through a toilet door by Mr Pistorius at his home in the capital, Pretoria. | Ms Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model and law graduate, was hit three times by bullets shot through a toilet door by Mr Pistorius at his home in the capital, Pretoria. |
| The judge said the state had failed to prove he intended to kill. | The judge said the state had failed to prove he intended to kill. |
| The athlete, who has been on bail since the verdict, was also found guilty on a charge of negligently handling a firearm that went off in a restaurant. | The athlete, who has been on bail since the verdict, was also found guilty on a charge of negligently handling a firearm that went off in a restaurant. |
| He was acquitted of another charge of firing a gun in public, through the sunroof of a car, and of illegal possession of ammunition in the home where he killed Ms Steenkamp. | He was acquitted of another charge of firing a gun in public, through the sunroof of a car, and of illegal possession of ammunition in the home where he killed Ms Steenkamp. |
| 'Disbelief' | 'Disbelief' |
| The parents of Reeva Steenkamp said "justice was not served" after Pistorius was acquitted of murder. | The parents of Reeva Steenkamp said "justice was not served" after Pistorius was acquitted of murder. |
| June and Barry Steenkamp told NBC News of their "disbelief" that the court had believed Pistorius's version of events. | June and Barry Steenkamp told NBC News of their "disbelief" that the court had believed Pistorius's version of events. |
| Earlier, Arnold Pistorius, the athlete's uncle, said the family was "deeply grateful" to the judge for finding him not guilty of murder and that a "big burden" had been lifted. | Earlier, Arnold Pistorius, the athlete's uncle, said the family was "deeply grateful" to the judge for finding him not guilty of murder and that a "big burden" had been lifted. |
| South Africa's prosecuting authority said it was "disappointed" that Pistorius was not convicted of murder but said it would wait until after sentencing to decide whether to appeal. | South Africa's prosecuting authority said it was "disappointed" that Pistorius was not convicted of murder but said it would wait until after sentencing to decide whether to appeal. |
| Despite the conviction, the International Paralympic Committee has said Pistorius would be allowed to compete in future events. | Despite the conviction, the International Paralympic Committee has said Pistorius would be allowed to compete in future events. |
| Director of media and communications Craig Spence told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Oscar's done a great deal for the Paralympic movement. He's been an inspiration to millions, but obviously his priority now is to see what the judge decides. | Director of media and communications Craig Spence told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Oscar's done a great deal for the Paralympic movement. He's been an inspiration to millions, but obviously his priority now is to see what the judge decides. |
| "If he wishes to resume his athletics career then we wouldn't step in his way. We would allow him to compete again in the future." | "If he wishes to resume his athletics career then we wouldn't step in his way. We would allow him to compete again in the future." |