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Oscar Pistorius arrives at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, South Africa, on Oct. 21, 2014. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
In one of the most watched trials in history, South African Gauteng High Court Judge Thokozile Masipa sentenced Oscar Pistorius to 5 years in jail for killing his girlfriend on October 21.
Masipa also sentenced the global paralympic athletic icon to three years for firing a firearm in a restaurant in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The three-year sentence was suspended for five years and the sentence would run concurrently.
In passing sentence Masipa said, "I have taken into account the seriousness of the offence, which led to the death of the deceased, the personal circumstances of the accused, and the interests of society. I am of the view that a non-custodial sentence would send the wrong message. A long sentence would also not be appropriate either as it would lack the element of mercy."
The prosecution's Gerrie Nel had asked the court for a 10-year jail sentence while the social worker from the Department of Correctional Service asked for a three-year community service with stringent conditions.
"If sentences are too lenient, the administration of justice will fall into disrepute and people will take law into their own hands. The loss of life can't be reversed. Hopefully judgment on sentence will provide some sort of closure for all concerned, " Masipa said.
She also said a suspended sentence would not be proper. Meanwhile the African National Congress Women' s League have expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict given by Judge Masipa. On Tuesday they said they have sought legal opinion on the matter.
"The ANC Women's League remains dissatisfied with the verdict delivered by Judge Masipa finding Mr. Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide instead of murder. Our conviction on this matter arises on the basis that we believe regardless of whom Mr. Pistorius believed was behind the bathroom door on that fateful night, Mr. Pistorius shot to kill and therefore a murder did occur," said the ruling party African National Congress (ANC) Women' s League head of Communications, Edna Molewa.
They also said they will make submissions to the state with a view for an appeal since they believe justice was not done in the case.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has confirmed to South Africa's EWN Sport that the earliest Oscar Pistorious will be allowed to compete in athletic competitions is 2019.
Pistorius killed his girlfriend model Reeva Steenkamp at his Pretoria home in February 14, 2013.
(Xinhua) | 
