Paralympic Champion Oscar Pistorius Paroled 11 Years After Girlfriend's Murder

 South African former professional sprinter and convicted murderer, Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius, has been granted early release from prison, 11 years after he shot and killed his girlfriend, model, actor and paralegal, Reeva Steenkamp, at his home in Pretoria on the morning of Thursday 14th February, 2013. Pistorius admitted that he shot Steenkamp four times, causing her death, but claimed he mistook her for a possible intruder. His murder trial began on 3 March 2014 in the Pretoria High Court and on 21st October of the same year, he received a prison sentence of a maximum of five years for culpable homicide and a concurrent three-year suspended prison sentence for the separate reckless endangerment conviction. 

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Oscar Pistorius, now 37 years old, has been pardoned by the parole board and his release is set for 5th January, 2024. He will then have to attend therapy sessions and be monitored by the authorities. His murdered girlfriend's mother did not oppose his release but in a letter sent to the parole board said she wondered whether Pistorius's "huge anger issues" were truly dealt with in prison, adding she would potentially be "concerned for the safety of any woman" who now comes into contact with him.  Oscar Pistorius' release in 2024 means the convicted killer has served 10 years of his initial 13 year prison sentence. Before killing Steenkamp, Pistorius was a decorated athlete with an astounding six gold Paralympics medals to his name - as well as being the tenth athlete in history to compete in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.