Oscar in talks with assault accuser

Star athlete Oscar Pistorius, charged with murdering his girlfriend, is holding “confidential” talks to resolve a lawsuit against a woman who had accused him of assault, his lawyer said.

“There are confidential settlement negotiations under way,” said his attorney, Gary Pritchard.

The Paralympic and Olympic sprinter is suing his former neighbour, Cassidy Taylor-Memmory, who in 2009 said he slammed a door at her during a party at his house. He was arrested and spent a night in jail, but police later dropped the charge.

“It was a couple of years back. He claimed damages to his reputation from her,” Pritchard said of the €187,000 lawsuit.

Pistorius was released on bail a week ago after prosecutors charged him with intentionally shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, 29, on Valentine’s Day.