News | Entertainment
30 Mar 2024 3:13
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Oscar Pistorius has been jailed for five years for the culpable homicide of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

    The paralympian was delivered the verdict on Tuesday in court in Pretoria, South Africa, by judge Thokozile Masipa, who said she didn't think a long sentence would be "appropriate" but also thought the South African sportsman needed more than a custodial sentence.


    She asked Pistorius to stand before saying: "The following is a sentence that I consider to fair and just."

    There was no emotion on the 27-year-old sprinter's face as he was given the five-year sentence for culpable homicide - which has been known to carry a 15-year jail term - and she also sentenced him to three years suspended for firearms offences.

    Shortly before Masipa delivered her verdict to Pistorius, she said: "I have weighed all the relevant factors.

    "I have also taken into account the seriousness of the offence which led to the death of the deceased, the personal circumstances of the accused, and the needs of society.

    "A non-custodial sentence would send the wrong message to the community. A long sentence would also not be appropriate."

    Pistorius was later led down towards the cells and managed to hold hands with some of his family members before he was taken away.

    After giving out her verdict, the judge thanked the counsel on both sides for their help during the trial and the public gallery for their behaviour.

    She said: "I want to thank the gallery. It was not an easy matter."

    Pistorius' five-year sentence comes after he was found guilty of culpable homicide - akin to manslaughter in British law – in court on September 12, one day after the judge found him not guilty of murder.

    The paralympian shot his 29-year-old girlfriend in his home in February last year but has always claimed he acted in self-defence in the mistaken belief she was an intruder. He pleaded not guilty to murder and three separate firearm charges.

    The prosecution had previously claimed Pistorius had killed the blonde beauty following a big argument.

    In June, Pistorius was dec lared fit to stand trial after his case was put on hold from May while he underwent a medical evaluation, in which four appointed psychiatrists had to decide whether he was "capable of appreciating the wrongfulness of his act" or "criminally responsible" for his behaviour at the time of the shooting.

    He rose to fame in South Africa after winning a gold medal in the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games in the 200 metres. He also went on to add five other gold medals to his collection in the 2008 Games in Beijing and at London 2012.

    © 2024 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     29 Mar: Heidi Klum would've "loved" a role in 'Griselda'
     29 Mar: Tom Schwartz "made out" with Scheana Shay 12 years ago
     29 Mar: Mel B vowed she would never marry again following her split from Stephen Belafonte
     29 Mar: Eva Mendes has branded her mum "incredible" for retaining her sense of humour during her battle with cancer
     29 Mar: Katie Maloney doesn't "hang out" with her 'Vanderpump Rules' co-stars
     29 Mar: Jessica Chastain found it "difficult" to film 'Mothers' Instinct' with her showbiz pal Anne Hathaway
     29 Mar: Queen Camilla hosted authors and actors at a star-studded event in London to celebrate reading
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Chiefs are backing young first-five Josh Jacomb to step up in tonight's Super Rugby clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Matakana Smokehouse in its recall of a specific batch of two of its salmon products because of the possible presence of Listeria More...



     Today's News

    Rugby League:
    NRL Good Friday: Bulldogs take on desperate Rabbitohs, Broncos renew rivalry with Cowboys 23:07

    Law and Order:
    Gisborne Police have charged three people with graffiti vandalism and have identified a fourth suspect after the city's rainbow crossing was defaced with white paint earlier this week 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Heidi Klum would've "loved" a role in 'Griselda' 21:53

    Law and Order:
    Police have left the scene of a party that erupted into a disturbance on Auckland's Princes Wharf 21:37

    Entertainment:
    Tom Schwartz "made out" with Scheana Shay 12 years ago 21:23

    Entertainment:
    Mel B vowed she would never marry again following her split from Stephen Belafonte 20:53

    Entertainment:
    Eva Mendes has branded her mum "incredible" for retaining her sense of humour during her battle with cancer 20:23

    Entertainment:
    Katie Maloney doesn't "hang out" with her 'Vanderpump Rules' co-stars 19:53

    Entertainment:
    Jessica Chastain found it "difficult" to film 'Mothers' Instinct' with her showbiz pal Anne Hathaway 19:23

    Rugby:
    The Chiefs are backing young first-five Josh Jacomb to step up in tonight's Super Rugby clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch 18:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2024 New Zealand City Ltd