Paralympian Oscar Pistorious Jailed For 5 Years

While delivering the ruling, Judge Thokozile Masipa also handed him a three-year suspended sentence for Pistorius’s gun offence.

Judge Masipa began reading the sentence by saying that although she had been aided by assessors, the decision was hers and hers alone.

"Sentencing is about achieving the right balance. Sentencing is not a perfect exercise." Judge Masipa added.

“I am mindful of the fact that mercy is an element of justice. But I am of the view that a non-custodial sentence would send the wrong message to the society.” Masipa continued.

Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide after he shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on the 14th of February 2013.

The 27-year-old Paralympic and Olympic star’s trial for murder began on 3 March 2014 in Pretoria.

He was found guilty of culpable homicide on the 12th September.

The prosecution had pushed for a 10-year prison sentence while the defence asked for leniency, calling for house arrest and community service.

By Wangui Ngechu