OSCAR PISTORIUS TRIAL VERDICT

Steenkamp family welcomes Oscar  Pistorius jail sentence.

The family of slain Reeva Steenkamp on Tuesday welcomed the sentencing of her killer Oscar Pistorius to five years in jail.

The Steenkamps’ lawyer, Dup de Bruyn, told AFP that the sentence judge Thokozile Masipa handed down would likely be served

as two years in prison and three years under house arrest.

Steenkamp’s ailing father Barry said he was “very glad” the seven-month trial was over. A lawyer for the family said the sentence was “welcome”.

“In effect he gets three years’ correctional supervision and two years’ direct imprisonment,” said De Bruyn, after the sentencing hearing ended.

De Bruyn said that Steenkamp’s parents were satisfied with the decision.

“They feel it’s right,” he said.

Visibly relieved, Steenkamp’s mother June turned to a family friend, Gina Myers, to thank her for her steadfast support throughout the trial before leaving the courtroom.