Blade runner Oscar Pistorius,27,has been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for killing his model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp,29, on February 14,2013.
But the Olympic and Paraolympic medalist may spend between 10 and 20 months behind bars, and the rest of the sentence under house arrest.
The South African court, presided over by Judge Thokozile Masipe, held today (Tuesday,October 21,2014) ,”Having regard to the circumstances in the matter, I am of the view that 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. What may appear to be justice to the general public may not be justice. Society cannot always get what they want.”
Pistorius, who fired four shots into the bathroom, maintained that he thought his girlfriend was an intruder, and was lucky to escape the murder charge.