‘Negligent’ Oscar Pistorius still faces lengthy jail term

Oscar Pistorius has been cleared of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp but he could still face a lengthy jail term if found guilty of her manslaughter.

The 27-year-old athlete broke down as judge Thokozile Masipa said there was not enough evidence to support prosecution claims Pistorius intended to kill the law graduate-turned-model when he shot her at his home on Valentine’s Day last year.

But the judge appeared to indicate he will be convicted of culpable homicide — the South African equivalent of Ireland’s manslaughter charge — when he returns to court today, describing Pistorius as being “negligent” in killing 29-year-old Ms Steenkamp.