Pistorius sentence more than doubled to 13 years
South Africa's disgraced Paralympian 'Blade Runner', Oscar Pistorius, has had his sentence more than doubled to 13 years and five months for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Pistorius was jailed in July 2016 after being found guilty of Steenkamp's murder on Valentine's Day 2013.
Oscar Pistorius' sentence has been increased to 13 years and five months. Source: AAP
Reeva Steenkamp with Pistorius. Source: Getty
South Africa's Supreme Court increased the sentence on Friday after the state argued that his original sentence of six years was "shockingly lenient".
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Oscar Pistorius during the trial that the whole world took interest in. Source: AAP
The athlete was not in court for Friday's ruling where the court handed down the minimum 15-year sentence prescribed for murder in South Africa, and subtracted the years Pistorius had already served.
"The sentence imposed... in respect of murder is set aside and substituted with the following: the respondent is sentenced to imprisonment for a period of 13 years and five months," the judge said, reading out the court's decision.
An image from the crime scene showing bullet holes through the bathroom door. Source: AAP
The athlete was originally convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to five years in jail.
That conviction was increased to murder by the Supreme Court in December 2015 and his sentence was increased to six years by trial judge Thokozile Masipa.
Kim Martin, a cousin of Reeva Steenkamp, watches on during the Pistorius trial. Source: AP
There was no immediate comment from the Pistorius or Steenkamp families.
Rights groups in a country beset by high levels of violent crime against women say Pistorius received preferential treatment compared to non-whites and those without his wealth or international celebrity status.
