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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Kyle O'Sullivan & Dave Burke

How Oscar Pistorius went from Olympic and Paralympic icon to world's most famous murderer

Oscar Pistorius inspired millions as a record-breaking Olympic and Paralympic icon - but is now behind bars for murdering his girlfriend.

Reeva Steenkamp was shot dead by her boyfriend South African sprinter, who has been denied release from prison today after losing his parole hearing.

Pistorius had his "shockingly lenient" prison sentence increased to 13 years in jail after he repeatedly shot the 29-year-old model when she barricaded herself in the bathroom of his home in Pretoria on February 2013.

Pistorius, now aged 36, lost his appeal and correctional services confirmed his parole has been denied.

It said the inmate did not complete the minimum Detention Period as ruled by the Supreme Court of Appeal and he will be able to reapply for parole in another year.

Here is a look back at how a man who once inspired millions triggered his own spectacular fall from grace.

Disabled runner who became ground-breaking Olympian

Back in 2012, nothing could go wrong for Pistorius.

The sprint runner - who had both his legs amputated below the knee when he was a baby - had already overcome huge obstacles in his life to become a Paralympic champion.

But, determined and ambitious, he did not stop there. The South African wanted to race against able-bodied athletes at London 2012.

After overcoming objections from the governing body for athletics, as well as other athletes, Pistorius became the first double leg amputee to take part in the Olympics with other able-bodied athletes.

Not content with that, he also won two gold medals in the Paralympics, setting two world records in the process.

He was an international star, inspiring millions around the world and with a long career ahead of him.

'A healthy, fabulous relationship'

Away from the athletics track, Pistorius had formed a close relationship with South African model Reeva Steenkamp.

The couple were first spotted together at a sports awards event in November 2012.

Friends described it as a "healthy, fabulous relationship".

Ms Steenkamp was a celebrity in South Africa and had been named as one of the 100 sexiest women in the world by men's magazine FHM.

She was also incredibly smart, graduating in law from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth.

The 29-year-old was signed up to appear in a celebrity TV reality show called Tropika Island of Treasure.

The pair looked set to become one of South Africa's most famous couples.

Valentine's night shooting

South Africa and the rest of the world were left stunned when Ms Steenkamp was shot and killed by Pistorius on Valentine's Day in 2013.

The model was in the bathroom of the athlete's £265,000 house on the outskirts of Pretoria when he fired four shots through the door.

Neighbours in the upmarket Silver Lakes gated community told police they had heard shouting and screaming earlier in the night.

Police also revealed they had been called to the house on previous occasions after reports of "a domestic nature".

In the hours that followed, Pistorius was arrested and charged with murdering his girlfriend.

He was described as being distraught over Ms Steenkamp's death.

"We can't comment on his emotional wellbeing, but he is traumatised after losing someone close to him," a police spokesman said.

A dramatic, global trial

Pistorius was often emotional during his trial (Getty Images)

Pistorius denied murdering his girlfriend, telling police he thought she was a burglar in his home.

And so on March 3, 2014, Pistorius took to the dock on the opening day of one of the most high profile trials of modern times.

Media from around the world descended on the courtroom.

The judge also decided that parts of the trial could be broadcast live on television.

Pistorius told the court through his lawyer that he thought Steenkamp was in bed when he shot four times through the toilet door, acting in self-defence.

The court was told the Paralympian thought his life was in danger when he killed Reeva.

But feared prosecutor Gerrie Nel said Pistorius had told “snowball of lies" and demanded he face the “consequences".

He told the court: “He knew there was a human being in the toilet.

"His intention was to kill a human being…. Then m'lady, he is guilty of murder."

Verdict and sentence

On September 12, 2014, Judge Masipa reached her long-awaited verdict.

She dismissed the prosecution case that Pistorius murdered his girlfriend.

Instead, she found him guilty of culpable homicide - a charge similar to manslaughter.

On October 21, 2014, she sent Pistorius to jail for five years - despite the prosecution arguing he should be locked up for ten years.

Pistorius appeared to wipe away a tear as the sentence was handed out as Judge Masipa said: "For a very good reason a sentence should neither be too light, nor too severe.....

"A non-custodial sentence would send the wrong message. The following is a sentence that I consider to fair and just."

'Angry' Pistorius arrives in prison

Pistorius was sent to Kgosi Mampura 11 prison in Pretoria.

The Paralympian struggled to adapt to prison life, being forced to spend 23 hours a day in his tiny cell.

He was placed in the hospital wing of the prison and given his own cell. This helped ensure he was not targeted by other prisoners.

Prison officer Violet Ngobeni met with Pistorius on a number of times.

"When he arrived he was angry," Ngobeni told CNN.

"The first time I went to see him he was like 'I don't want to talk to anyone.'"

However, his mood eventually lifted and he spoke about wanting to spend time with his family.

Ngobeni said: "He just talked about 'I miss my family, I need to spend more time with my family, just to go out and see my friends.'"

Release from jail

Pistorius was released from jail in secret on October 19 to serve the remaining four years of his sentence under house arrest.

Despite Miss Steenkamp's family saying Pistorius' time in prison was "simply not enough", the Paralympian went to live at his wealthy uncle’s home in Pretoria.

While under house arrest, Pistorius’ movements were heavily restricted.

Little was seen of Pistorius during his time under house arrest.

However, he was pictured celebrating his 29th birthday surrounded by his young cousins.

Wearing a navy t-shirt, he was surrounded by the ten grandchildren of his Uncle Arnold.

The picture was snapped by his Aunt Lois and posted on Twitter to celebrate the disgraced Olympian's 29th birthday - the same age Reeva was when she died.

Pistorius convicted again - but this time for murder

Judge Lorimer Leach overturned Pistorius' conviction of culpable homicide (Sky News)

Despite being released from jail, Pistorius still faced an appeal in the Supreme Court.

Prosecutors wanted the 29-year-old's conviction of culpable homicide to be overturned, arguing that he intended to murder his girlfriend.

Pistorius demonstrated his lack of stability and mobility on his stumps as the defence once again tried to highlight his feeling of vulnerability.

And today, a leading South African judge agreed with prosecutors and convicted Pistorius of murder.

Judge Lorimer Leach dismissed Pistorius' argument that he was acting in self-defence, finding that there was no rational basis for him to have feared for his life.

The judge said: "He must have foreseen that the person he was firing at behind the door might have been fatally injured."

Six years for murder

Oscar Pistorius appeared relieved as he was led to the cells (Getty)

There were audible gasps as Judge Masipa delivered the six-year sentence - far below the recommended 15 years.

Explaining her sentence, the judge told the court Pistorius had suffered severe mental health problems since Reeva's murder.

She said: "He is a fallen hero, he has lost his career and his ruined financially. Having taken a human life in the way he did, he cannot be at peace.

"Since the offence he has developed a serious psychiatric condition which has got worse over the past few years.

"He has severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. He has become isolated and fearful of venturing out in public.

"Recovery is possible but it will depend mostly on the accused's attitude to the punishment imposed upon him."

Sentence extended

In November 2017, Pistorius had his "shockingly lenient" prison sentence increased to 13 years in jail.

South Africa has a recommended 15-year jail term for murder, and South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal increased it to 13 years and five months after the state argued his original sentence was "shockingly lenient".

The time Pistorius had already served in prison has been deducted from the 15-year term.

Tania Koen, a spokeswoman for the Steenkamp family, told Reuters: "This is an emotional thing for them.

"They just feel that their trust in the justice system has been confirmed this morning."

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