Oscar Pistorius handed five years in jail for killing girlfriend

The curtains came down apparently on Oscar Pistorius’ glittering sporting career on Tuesday with the South African High Court’s ruling.

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

27-year-old para-athlete was also handed a suspended three-year jail term for discharging a firearm in a restaurant in a separate incident.

“Blade runner” Pistorius was charged of murdering his girlfriend last year.

According to police, Pistorius fired four hollow point rounds into a locked toilet door in the early hours of Valentine's Day 2013 that resulted in the death of his girlfriend.

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

But following the incident, he was charged with one count of murder and three firearms offences.

Last month South African Judge Thokozile Masipa acquitted him of murder charges but found him guilty of culpable homicide and firearm charges.

While carrying out the verdict on Tuesday, Judge Masipa said she wanted to find a balance between retribution, deterrence and rehabilitation.

Masipa said, "I have taken into account the seriousness of the offence, which led to the death of the deceased, the personal circumstances of the accused, and the interests of society.”

She said, “I am of the view that a non-custodial sentence would send the wrong message. A long sentence would also not be appropriate either as it would lack the element of mercy. If sentences are too lenient, the administration of justice will fall into disrepute and people will take law into their own hands. A suspended sentence would not be appropriate in my view.”

"The loss of life can't be reversed. Hopefully judgment on sentence will provide some sort of closure for all concerned," Masipa added.

"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.

The prosecution has called for 10 years in jail.

The defence pleaded for house arrest and community service.

His lawyers argued that Oscar would be more vulnerable than most in prison because of his disability.

But Judge Masipa dismissed defence claims that the disabled athlete would face particular suffering in prison.

"Yes the accused is vulnerable, but he also has excellent coping skills," she said.

She also weighed his ability to cope with incarceration given his physical disability.

According to media reports, Pistorius stood in the dock with his veins bulging in his forehead and jaw muscles clenched as sentence was handed down.

He then made his way downstairs to the holding cells, from where he will be transported to prison.

According to experts, Pistorius must serve at least a sixth of his sentence, meaning he could be eligible for parole after 10 months.

Both prosecution and defence have 14 days to decide on an appeal, but Pistorius's uncle apparently told journalists that there will be no appeal.

"The court has now handed down judgment and sentence. We accept the judgment. Oscar will embrace this opportunity to pay back to society."- Oscar's uncle Arnold Pistorius is quoted by media as saying.

On the other hand, Reeva Steenkamp's parents, Barry and June, told the BBC that they are happy with the sentence and relieved it is over.