Oscar Pistorius sentenced to six years for murder of his girlfriend

6 July 2016 02:46 pm Views - 3673

South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to six years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend in 2013.

He had faced a 15-year sentence. Both the prosecution and defence can appeal.

The verdict comes after his initial conviction to manslaughter was changed to murder last December after the prosecution appealed.

Pistorius, 29, shot Reeva Steenkamp four times through a locked toilet door in February 2013.

He admitted shooting Ms Steenkamp but said he mistook her for an intruder and acted out of fear.

In an hour-long session, Judge Thokozile Masipa said mitigating circumstances, such as rehabilitation and remorse, outweighed aggravating factors for deviating from the prescribed 15-year sentence for murder.

Pistorius has already served one year in jail.(BBC)