Above: Paralympian Oscar Pistorius attends sentencing for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp at the Pretoria High Court, South Africa on June 13, 2016. Photo: UNI  

World renowned Paralympian Oscar Pistorius’ prison sentence of 6 years was increased to 13 years and five months on Friday (November 24) for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) bench of Justice Legoabe Willie Seriti in Bloemfontein set aside the high court order. Justice Seriti said: “The sentence imposed by the… [high court] with respect to murder is set aside and substituted with the following – the respondent’s imprisonment for 13 years and five months.”

Tania Koen, a spokeswoman for the Steenkamp family, told Reuters: “This is an emotional thing for them. They just feel that their trust in the justice system has been confirmed this morning.”

Pistorius was sentenced to 6 year jail term in July 2016. The Judge Masipa while delivering the sentence had said: “I am of the view that a long-term imprisonment will not serve justice. He’s a fallen hero who has lost his career and is ruined financially.”

Judge Masipa had further observed: “Since the offence he (Pistorius) has developed a serious psychiatric condition which has got worse over the past few years.

“He has severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. He has become isolated and fearful of venturing out in public. Recovery is possible but it will depend mostly on the accused’s attitude to the punishment imposed upon him.”

—India Legal Bureau