The disgraced Paralympian wiped his eyes as he was handed a five-year prison term after the judge ruled that a non-custodial sentence would send the 'wrong message to the community'.
As he was led down to the cells, Miss Steenkamp's mother, June, smiled as she told of a sense of 'closure' after a seventh-month trial , but said it 'would not magic Reeva back.'
The model's ailing father, who suffered a stroke after his daughter's death, said he was 'very glad' the trial was over. A lawyer for the family said the sentence was 'welcome'.
The runner's sister Aimee briefly covered her head with a jacket and looked distressed. His family said he would not appeal the sentence.
Pistorius was later driven away from court in a prison van to the gang-ridden Pretoria Central Prison, where one criminal kingpin has already threatened to 'take him out'.
The athlete was found guilty of culpable homicide, but was acquitted of murder after shooting Miss Steenkamp four times through a toilet cubicle door at his home last year.
According to legal observers, Pistorius could spend only ten months in jail and, provided he poses no trouble to the prison authorities, could spend the remainder of his sentence under correctional supervision at home.
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Taken down: Oscar Pistorius says his final goodbyes to his family as he is escorted to the holding cells at the high court in Pretoria after being sentenced to five years in prison for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
Saving his possessions: The runner takes his watch off before being led down to the cells below the courtroom
Comforted: The athlete hands the watch to his uncle Arnold (centre right), who later said his nephew would not appeal the five-year prison sentence
Led away: Pistorius could spend only ten months in jail and, provided he poses no trouble to the prison authorities, could spend the remainder of his sentence under correctional supervision at home
Jailed: Oscar Pistorius reacts as he is handed a five-year prison term for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
According to the Act under which Pistorius was sentenced, he must spend at least one-sixth of his sentence before he can apply for leave to serve the rest under 'correctional supervision'.
The athlete appeared to have prepared himself to spend some time behind bars, while his uncle Arnold Pistorius, the head of the large family, said there would be no appeal against the sentence.
National Prosecuting Authority, who have two weeks to decide whether to appeal against verdict or sentence, suggested they would be content to draw a line under the matter.
'We have stated that we were disappointed with the judgment but we take solace in fact that Pistorius will serve time in jail.'
After a summary of the evidence in the case and related legal issues, judge Thozile Masipa said: 'Having regard to the circumstances of the matter, I am of the view that a non-custodial sentence would send the wrong message to the community.
'On the other hand, a long sentence would also not be appropriate either as it would lack the element of mercy.'
Via - Dailymail.
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