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Oscar Pistorius trial: Judge begins sentencing Oscar Pistorius jailed for five years
(35 minutes later)
South African athlete Oscar Pistorius is back in court to hear whether he faces a jail term for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been jailed for five years for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Judge Thokozile Masipa began reading the sentence by saying that, although she had been aided by assessors, the decision was hers and hers alone. Judge Thokozile Masipa, issuing the ruling in court in Pretoria, also gave Pistorius a three-year suspended sentence for a firearms charge.
The prosecution has called for a minimum 10-year sentence; the defence for community service and house arrest. The prosecution had called for a minimum 10-year sentence; the defence for community service and house arrest.
Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide but cleared of murder.Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide but cleared of murder.
'Feeling of unease''Feeling of unease'
Judge Masipa said: "Sentencing is about achieving the right balance. Sentencing is not a perfect exercise."Judge Masipa said: "Sentencing is about achieving the right balance. Sentencing is not a perfect exercise."
She said there must be a balance between retribution, deterrence and rehabilitation.She said there must be a balance between retribution, deterrence and rehabilitation.
The judge began summarising the evidence brought before the trial.The judge began summarising the evidence brought before the trial.
She described the evidence of defence witness and social worker Annette Vergeer as "slapdash and disappointing".She described the evidence of defence witness and social worker Annette Vergeer as "slapdash and disappointing".
Ms Vergeer had argued Pistorius would be "a lot more vulnerable than the normal man" in jail.Ms Vergeer had argued Pistorius would be "a lot more vulnerable than the normal man" in jail.
But Judge Masipa said she was sure prisons were equipped to cater for the requirements of a special needs inmates. But Judge Masipa said she was sure prisons were equipped to cater for the requirements of a special needs inmate.
She also said she had a "feeling of unease" at what she called an overemphasis on the athlete's vulnerability.She also said she had a "feeling of unease" at what she called an overemphasis on the athlete's vulnerability.
However, she said Pistorius had made an "enormous contribution to society", in his charity work and in changing the public perception of disability.However, she said Pistorius had made an "enormous contribution to society", in his charity work and in changing the public perception of disability.
The judge then read out a quote from previous legal opinion, saying that if sentences were too lenient, the administration of justice may fall into disrepute.
She said she found the suggestions of sentences made by defence witnesses "not appropriate".
Appeals
Pistorius, 27, an amputee sprinter who became the first athlete to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, killed Ms Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year.Pistorius, 27, an amputee sprinter who became the first athlete to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, killed Ms Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year.
He says he shot her by mistake, fearing there was an intruder in his house in the capital, Pretoria.He says he shot her by mistake, fearing there was an intruder in his house in the capital, Pretoria.
Ms 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.Ms 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.
Last month, Judge Masipa cleared Pistorius of murder, but convicted him of culpable homicide, saying he had been negligent.Last month, Judge Masipa cleared Pistorius of murder, but convicted him of culpable homicide, saying he had been negligent.
The high-profile, seven-month trial has captured public attention in South Africa and beyond.The high-profile, seven-month trial has captured public attention in South Africa and beyond.
There is no legal limit on the length of a jail term, but experts say the typical maximum sentence for culpable homicide is around 15 years.There is no legal limit on the length of a jail term, but experts say the typical maximum sentence for culpable homicide is around 15 years.
However, even after the sentence is announced in Pretoria, the case may not be over.However, even after the sentence is announced in Pretoria, the case may not be over.
Both the prosecution and the defence have the right to appeal against the verdict.Both the prosecution and the defence have the right to appeal against the verdict.
'No closure'
On the eve of sentencing, Pistorius's siblings criticised the "twisted" and "sensationalised" media coverage.
Sister Aimee told South African broadcaster eNCA there was "obviously a lot of anxiety" ahead of the sentencing, and that the past 20 months had been "very taxing".
She said she felt "heartache for both my brother, our family and of course [Reeva] Steenkamp's family and her friends".
Both families would struggle to move on, she said.
"It's something that you never really get closure on... It's something that my brother will carry with him for the rest of his life.
"It is important for us that [Ms Steenkamp's family] know that she was very much cared for and loved, and accepted as part of our family in the short time that she was with us... [Reeva] had a wonderful charisma and zest for life that she just exuded and it was easy to just fall in love with her."
She added: "The truths had been twisted and manipulated, and things have been sensationalised. It causes hurt when things are also reported as fact when they are not."
Brother Carl Pistorius said the hardest part of the situation was "all the negative media, polarised publicity, twisted truths and untruths, and how that infiltrates your life regardless of whether you try to or try not to follow the media".
"It permeates the very atmosphere of everywhere you go, including those that are close to you," he said.
Inside Oscar Pistorius's homeInside Oscar Pistorius's home
3D animation of the apartment3D animation of the apartment