This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-29700457

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Oscar Pistorius gets five years for Reeva Steenkamp death Oscar Pistorius gets five years for Reeva Steenkamp death
(35 minutes later)
South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been given five years in jail for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been given five years in jail for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
In court in Pretoria, Judge Thokozile Masipa also gave Pistorius a three-year suspended sentence for a firearms charge. Pistorius has now been taken to the cells. Judge Thokozile Masipa also gave Pistorius a three-year suspended sentence for a firearms charge.
Prosecutors had called for a minimum 10-year term, and the defence argued for community service and house arrest. The parents of Reeva Steenkamp told the BBC they were happy with the sentence and relieved the case was over. The defence said it expected Pistorius to serve about 10 months in prison.
Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide but cleared of murder.Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide but cleared of murder.
Prosecutors had called for a minimum 10-year term, and the defence had argued for community service and house arrest.
'Feeling of unease''Feeling of unease'
Defence lawyer Barry Roux said his client was expected to serve 10 months in prison, with the rest under house arrest.Defence lawyer Barry Roux said his client was expected to serve 10 months in prison, with the rest under house arrest.
The BBC's Andrew Harding, in court, says the parents of Reeva Steenkamp, Barry and June, tell him they are happy with the sentence and relieved the case is over. Also reacting to the sentence, Dup De Bruyn, a lawyer for the Steenkamp family, told Reuters that "justice was served".
Reacting to the sentence, Dup De Bruyn, a lawyer for the Steenkamp family, told Reuters that "justice was served". The BBC's Nomsa Maseko, outside court, says opinion there was divided on the sentence, with some saying it was too light, others that it was fair.
She says Pistorius will be evaluated over the next few hours in prison to decide where he will be staying based on his disability.
Judge Masipa had begun reading the sentence by saying that, although she had been aided by assessors, the decision was hers and hers alone.Judge Masipa had begun reading the sentence by saying that, although she had been aided by assessors, the decision was hers and hers alone.
She said: "Sentencing is about achieving the right balance. Sentencing is not a perfect exercise."She 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 then summarised the evidence brought before the trial.The judge then summarised 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 inmate.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.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".She said she found the suggestions of sentences made by defence witnesses "not appropriate".
A non-custodial sentence would "send the wrong message to the community", she said.A non-custodial sentence would "send the wrong message to the community", she said.
The three-year suspended term was for unlawfully firing a gun in a restaurant, in a separate incident before the Steenkamp killing.The three-year suspended term was for unlawfully firing a gun in a restaurant, in a separate incident before the Steenkamp killing.
AppealsAppeals
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 was 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 was 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, despite the sentencing being announced, the case may not be over.However, despite the sentencing being announced, the case may not be over.
Both the prosecution and the defence have the right to appeal against the sentence.Both the prosecution and the defence have the right to appeal against the sentence.
The prosecution service said it had not yet decided.
Inside Oscar Pistorius's homeInside Oscar Pistorius's home
3D animation of the apartment3D animation of the apartment