Oscar Pistorius’ Jail Sentence Increased to 13 Years

Oscar Pistorius’ jail sentence for killing his girlfriend Reeva Stenkamp has been increased to 13 years and five months, a South African court has ruled on November 24.

According to prosecutors, the six-year term for murdering Reeva Steenkamp was “shockingly light”.

A spokesman for Reeva Steenkamp’s family said the ruling “verified there was justice”.

The Olympic athlete claimed he shot dead his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day in 2013 after mistaking her for a burglar.

The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein has now given Oscar Pistorius the minimum 15 years prescribed for murder in South Africa, less time already served.

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The lower court had justified the six-year sentence by citing mitigating circumstances such as rehabilitation and remorse.

The court also said they outweighed aggravating factors such as his failure to fire a warning shot.

Oscar Pistorius was not in court to hear the decision.

The six-time Paralympic gold medalist was initially given a five-year term for manslaughter in 2014, but was found guilty of murder on appeal in 2015.

Oscar Pistorius shot Reeva Steenkamp four times through a locked toilet door at his home in the capital Pretoria.

He had made history by becoming the first amputee sprinter to compete at the Olympics, in 2012 in London, running on prosthetic “blades”.

Oscar Pistorius had his legs amputated below the knee as a baby.