Oscar Pistorius in court
South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to five years in prison for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
He was also given a three-year suspended sentence for a firearms charge in a show trial that caught global attention.
The prosecution wanted a minimum 10-year sentence for the 27-year-old double amputee, but Judge Thokozile Masipa did not accede to their request.
Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide but cleared of murder.
“Sentencing is about achieving the right balance,” Masipa said. “Sentencing is not a perfect exercise.”
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Pistorius was immediately escorted to the prison after the judgment.
Before the sentencing, she read out the testimony from the trial, highlighting the opinions of the four witnesses who testified on Pistorius’ behalf on why he should not be jailed.
The correctional officer had argued that putting Pistorius under house arrest would be better punishment instead.
Judge Masipa noted the status of the accused as a physically challenged citizen, but said prisons could handle inmates with special needs.
“A pregnant woman will be equally sent to jail if she was found guilty of such crime,” she said.
“The accused might be vulnerable as stated, but he has excellent coping skills.”
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