Pistorius to be set free after only a year in jail

OSCAR Pistorius is to be freed from jail one year into his fiveyear sentence f or killi ng his girlfriend.

The Paralympian sprinter, pictured, is due to be released and placed under house arrest on Tuesday after officials decided to grant him parole.

His freedom comes a fortnight before prosecutors will appeal against his manslaughter conviction, saying he should have been found guilty of murder.

Yesterday’s decision was opposed by the family of model Reeva Steenkamp, 29, who was shot dead on Valentine’s Day in 2013. Pistorius, 28, was convicted of culpable homicide – the equivalent of manslaughter – in September last year after saying he shot Miss Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door because he mistook her for an intruder.

Her parents claim Pistorius killed their daughter on purpose – and have contested his release. ‘They are not surprised at all – it was expected,’ said Tania Koen, l awyer f or June and Barry Steenkamp. ‘ But i t doesn’t change anything.

‘Their daughter is still not coming back. Whether Pistorius is incarcerated or released on parole, their daughter is still gone.’

South Africa’s department of correctional services said the parole board considered all submissions, including the wishes of the victim’s family.

They confirmed that the athl ete’s parole conditions will include ‘ continued psychotherapy’ as well as firearms restrictions. And legal experts suggested he may have to wear a tracking tag and report to a police station.

On November 3, prosecutors are due to ask South Africa’s Supreme Court to consider a murder conviction – which would carry a minimum sentence of 15 years in jail.