Oscar Pistorius family condemns allegations he hit Reeva Steenkamp with cricket bat

The family of Oscar Pistorius has condemned allegations in a book that new evidence shows that he beat girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, with a cricket bat, before fatally shooting her at his home in 2013.

The family called the allegations “outrageous” and “absurd”, and said there was an “often vicious” media campaign against the double-amputee Olympian, since he was charged with murder over Steenkamp’s killing.

Pistorius appeared in court this week for the first time since his conviction for shooting Steenkamp was upgraded to murder, after an appeal by prosecutors. He faces 15 years in prison and will be sentenced in June.