Oscar Pistorius jailed for six years for murder

The term was announced by a judge after a lengthy sentencing statement in a Pretoria courtroom.

Steenkamp's parents, Barry and June, sat on a bench on the other side of the courtroom during the hearing.

A delegation from the women's league of the South African ruling party, which is seeking to highlight the issue of violence against women, was also present in the packed, wood-panelled room.

The double-amputee Olympic runner, who killed his girlfriend in their home on Valentine's Day 2013, arrived in court ahead of the sentence and embraced family members.

Pistorius faced a possible 15-year jail term after his conviction was changed from manslaughter to murder for killing Steenkamp by shooting her through the closed door of a toilet cubicle.

In reading out the sentence, Judge Masipa said Pistorius was a "fallen hero".

The judge ordered a recess to give prosecutors and Pistorius's defence lawyers time to decide if either wanted to appeal against the sentence.