PRETORIA: Olympic and Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius started his five-year jail sentence on Tuesday for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, in the climax to his sensational trial that had gripped South Africa and millions around the world.

His uncle, Arnold Pistorius, indicated he would not appeal.

The Paralympian sprinter known as the ‘Blade Runner’ was led from the dock down to the cells to start his sentence for shooting model Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013.

“Count one, culpable homicide: the sentence imposed is five years,” Judge Thokozile Masipa told Pistorius in the courtroom.

Delivering her sentence, Judge Masipa cited the “gross negligence” the double-amputee Olympic runner showed when he shot Steenkamp multiple times through a toilet cubicle door in his home.

Pistorius had testified that he shot Steenkamp, 29, four times through a locked bathroom door at his upmarket Pretoria home after he mistakenly believed she was an intruder. Prosecutors had argued that he murdered her in a fit of rage after an argument.

It was a stunning fall from grace for the 27-year-old who made history by becoming the first double amputee Paralympian to compete against able-bodied athletes at the 2012 London Olympics, inspiring millions.

His only reaction was to wipe his eyes before two police officers led him to the holding cells beneath the High Court in the heart of the South African capital.

Ninety minutes later, an armoured police vehicle carrying Pistorius left the building through a throng of reporters towards Pretoria Central Prison, where he is expected to serve his time. Pistorius could be released after 10 months in jail to serve the remainder under house arrest, according to legal experts.

Steenkamp’s parents were also in court to hear the sentence and the dead model’s mother, June, said justice had been done.

Even if he is freed early, Pistorius will not be able to resume his athletics career until his full term is served, the International Paraly­mpic Committee said, ruling out any appearance at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2014