Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Pistorius sentenced to five years jail for killing girlfriend

21 October 2014 09:14 am - 3     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

South African Paralympian star sprinter Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday for the killing of his girlfriend last year, as his sensational trial reached a climax.

 

Pistorius, who had vomited and wept at times during the trial, stood stock-still in the dock as he was sentenced, veins bulging in his forehead and his jaw muscles clenched.

 

“Count one, culpable homicide: the sentence imposed is five years,” judge Thokozile Masipa said.

 

Pistorius, 27, was also given a three-year suspended sentence on a separate gun offence conviction.

 

Masipa said she wanted to find a balance between retribution, deterrence and rehabilitation, dismissing defence claims that the disabled athlete would face particular suffering in prison.

 

“It would be a sad day for this country if an impression were to be created that there was one law for the poor and disadvantaged and another for the rich and famous,” said Masipa.

 

She also weighed his ability to cope with incarceration given his physical disability. “Yes the accused is vulnerable, but he also has excellent coping skills,” she said.

 

Discussing the gravity of Pistorius's crime, the judge said he had been responsible of “gross negligence”.

 

“Using a lethal weapon, a loaded firearm, the accused fired not one, but four shots into the door,” said Masipa.

 

“The toilet was a small cubicle and there was no room for escape for the person behind the door,” she said.

 

The double amputee sprinter was acquitted of the more serious charge of murder over Reeva Steenkamp's death on Valentine's Day last year.
The prosecution has called for 10 years in jail. The defence pleaded for house arrest and community service.

 

Pistorius testified that he shot Steenkamp, a 29-year-old law graduate and model, four times through a locked bathroom door at his upmarket Pretoria home after he mistakenly believed she was an intruder.

 

His lawyers, arguing that Pistorius would be more vulnerable than most in prison because of his disability, had argued against jail time, and called instead for the equivalent of house arrest and community service.

 

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said such a sentence would be “shockingly inappropriate” and could cause South Africans to lose faith in their legal system. (AFP)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 3

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • suranga Tuesday, 21 October 2014 02:49 PM

    if it was Sri Lanka, Pistorius is out and the girls family will go to jail..

    OMG Tuesday, 21 October 2014 03:19 PM

    Only 5 years? This guy is a merciless killer and what is the guarantee he will not kill again once he is freed after 5 years.

    The God Father Wednesday, 22 October 2014 03:56 PM

    Notorious Pistorious is mysterious


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H