icScotland - Pistorius at court for bail fight
icScotland logo
icScotland News Sport icHomes
Search icScotland for:
Today's UK news
News  UK  Today's UK news  Article

Pistorius at court for bail fight

06:05, Feb 20 2013

 

Sports star Oscar Pistorius has returned to court where his lawyers will continue their fight to keep the Paralympian, accused of murdering his girlfriend, out of prison.

He arrived at the court in Pretoria, South Africa, in a police car with a blue blanket covering his head.

On Tuesday, on the first day of his bail hearing, the court heard the Paralympian claim he shot his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp because he thought she was a robber.

But chances of him being given bail seemed slimmer when magistrate Desmond Nair ruled the case a schedule six offence - meaning premeditated murder. It means his lawyers now have to prove "exceptional circumstances" to have any chance of him being bailed until he goes on trial.

The gold-medal winner, known as the Blade Runner, is accused of murdering Miss Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria, South Africa, last Thursday.

Pistorius's lawyer, Barry Roux, read out a statement to a packed courtroom in Pretoria which gave his version of the events that led to Miss Steenkamp's death. The 26-year-old denies murder and said the couple were "deeply in love".

In the statement, the defendant said he felt vulnerable because he was not wearing his prosthetic legs. He claimed he fired his gun into the bathroom, but then realised Miss Steenkamp was not in his bed. "It filled me with horror and fear," Pistorius said.

Upon realising his mistake, he put on his legs, walked towards the bathroom and broke down the locked door with a cricket bat. He said he ran downstairs carrying his 29-year-old girlfriend, but "she died in my arms". Pistorius went on: "I fail to understand how I could be charged with murder, let alone premeditated murder, as I did not plan to murder my girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp."

The defendant began shaking and crying as his statement was read out, according to the South African Press Association.

The bail hearing came as Miss Steenkamp's funeral was held in her home town of Port Elizabeth. The memorial service was attended by family and friends who had travelled from around the world. Six pallbearers carried her coffin, draped with a white cloth and covered in white flowers.

 
New probe into unsolved murder
Hazell 'begged for forgiveness'
Former archbishop denies cover-up
Exports boost narrows trade deficit
Farmer 'confronts another burglar'
Lawrence killer loses appeal bid
Woman rescued from Dhaka rubble
Qatada offer as bail case adjourned
Qatada condition for Jordan return
Mayor defends estuary airport plan
WYP Savile report 'doesn't add up'
EU exit 'not as damaging as claims'
'No evidence' force shielded Savile
Kidnap suspect death penalty threat
Harry: My mother would be so proud
Osborne: We must 'nurture revival'
Qatada to launch fresh freedom bid
Sailing Olympian dies in US capsize
2,500 council staff paid over £100k
Aircraft plan switch 'to cost £74m'
Top Top

Back Back

E-mail this article to a friend

Printable VersionPrintable version

 
News  UK  Today's UK news  Article
 


Copyright and Trade Mark Notice
© owned by or licensed to Scottish & Universal Newspapers Limited 2013.
icScotland™ is a trade mark of Scottish & Universal Newspapers Limited.
Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement before using this site.

 
Advertisements
 
Jobs in Scotland: