Oscar Pistorius released from prison after murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has been released on parole nearly 11 years after the murder of his girlfriend Riva Steenkamp.

The South African – known as blade runner due to his prosthetic legs – was granted parole in November on the basis that he had served half of a sentence of 13 years and five months, set in 2017, for killing paralegal and model, Ms Steenkamp.

In 2013, Mr Pistorius shot his girlfriend four times through a locked bathroom door on Valentine’s Day, in a case that grabbed headlines worldwide.

Pistorius will also have to attend programmes on gender-based violence and continue therapy sessions on anger management, a lawyer for the Steenkamp family said.

Pistorius had gained international acclaim as a six-time gold medal winner in the Paralympics, before making the jump to the Olympic Games, winning him international acclaim as only the tenth Paralympian to compete in both competitions.

He received several high-profile endorsement deals, including with Nike ran who ran with the unfortunate slogan: “I am the bullet in the chamber.”

The trial spanned seven months and was televised as audiences from around the world watched while Mr. Pistorius listened to the testimony of almost 40 witnesses.

A keen gun enthusiast, Pistorius said he believed Steenkamp was an Intruder, but after a lengthy trial a judge disagreed.

He was initially convicted of culpable homicide, but on appeal, he was found guilty of the more serious charge of murder.

Speaking after the decision to grant Mr Pistorius parole, June Steenkamp, Reeva’s mother said: “I simply cannot muster the energy to face him again at this stage.

“We have always known that parole is part of the South African legal system, and we have always said that the law must take its course.”

Referring to Reeva’s late father, Barry, she added: “Oscar Pistorius’s release on parole, subject to certain conditions, has affirmed Barry and my belief in the South African justice system.

“The conditions imposed by the parole board, which includes anger management courses and programs on gender-based violence, send out a clear message that gender based violence is taken seriously.

“Has there been justice for Reeva?” she asked. “Has Oscar served enough time? There can never be justice if your loved one is never coming back, and no amount of time served will bring Reeva back. We, who remain behind, are the ones serving a life sentence.”