Oscar Pistorius begins five-year jail term - but he may be out in 10 months

Oscar Pistorius has been taken away in a police van with barred windows to start serving a five-year prison sentence for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Delivering her sentence, Judge Thokozile Masipa cited the “gross negligence” the double-amputee Olympic runner showed when he shot Ms Steenkamp multiple times through a toilet cubicle door in his home in Pretoria, South Africa. Pistorius, 27, could be released after 10 months in jail to serve the remainder under house arrest, according to legal experts.

Having regard to the circumstances in the matter I am of the view that a non-custodial sentence would send the wrong message to the community. On the other hand, a long sentence would also not be appropriate either, as it would lack the element of mercy.

Judge Thokozile Masipa, handing down Pistorius’ sentence

Pistorius, who had cried and retched during his trial, was unemotional as he stood to hear his sentence. His prison term begins immediately and he was led down a flight of stairs and towards holding cells before leaving the Pretoria courthouse in the armoured vehicle. Ms Steenkamp’s parents were also in court to hear the sentence and the dead model’s mother, June, said justice had been done. Pistorius’s uncle, Arnold Pistorius, said: “Oscar will embrace this opportunity to pay back to society.” He appealed to reporters to give the family privacy after what he called “20 months of relentless public trial”. Judge Masipa said her sentence was a balancing act between retribution and clemency.

I really don’t think any of us will heal anytime soon … there will always be questions.

Gina Myers, a close friend of Ms Steenkamp

Africa Pistorius