23 Feb 2013

Pistorius must ‘live with conscience’

The father of Reeva Steenkamp says Oscar Pistorius will have to “live with his conscience” if he is lying about how he killed her.

Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp (Getty)

Barry Steenkamp said the Paralympian, who also competed in the London 2012 Olympics, will “suffer alone” if his claim that he shot 29-year-old Reeva Steenkamp accidentally is false.

Mr Steenkamp told the Afrikaans-language Beeld newspaper he might be able to forgive Oscar Pistorius one day if the double-amputee is telling the truth.

The athlete, known worldwide as “Blade Runner”, was granted bail following a four-day hearing in Pretoria, South Africa, a week after he shot Steenkamp dead at his home.

The athlete, who broke down in tears as chief magistrate Desmond Nair announced his decision, was later seen arriving at his uncle Arnold’s home.

Pistorius, 26, claims he shot Steenkamp through a bathroom door thinking she was an intruder.

Prosecutors say he intended to kill the model, and he has been charged with premeditated murder.

After nearly two hours describing the reasons for his decision, Mr Nair told the packed courtroom that he was granting bail until the next hearing on 4 June.

He said there was no suggestion that Pistorius was a flight risk, he did not appear to have a propensity to violence, and there was no evidence that he would interfere with witnesses.