Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to five years in prison for the shooting death of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Judge Thokozile Masipa found the South African double amputee sprinter guilty of culpable homicide last month after acquitting him of the charge of murder.

In sentencing on Tuesday, Judge Masipa said: “I am of the view that a non-custodial sentence would send a wrong message to the community. On the other hand a long sentence would also not be appropriate either as it would lack the element of mercy.”

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Unlike earlier in the trial when he often vomited and wept, Pistorius stood motionless in the court as the judge handed him the maximum term of five years, as well as a three-year suspended sentence on a separate charge of reckless handling of a gun.

Both sentences will run concurrently.

The 27-year-old will serve his time at Kgosi Mampuru II prison.

Under South African law, Pistorius only needs to serve one-sixth of his sentence, or 10 months, before the prison can release him to house arrest.

Pistorius shot and killed Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year when he fired four times through a locked bathroom door at his home, saying he mistakenly believed she was an intruder.

10 months prison before home detention. Because what’s the worst you can do to people when confined to your own home? Wait. #OscarPistorius

— Mindy Pawsey (@MKPS001) October 21, 2014

Wait, only 10 months in prison? He’ll be out before the next Belgian Grand Prix (*putting it in terms I understand) #O5car #oscarpistorius

— Damien Cross (@DC_F1) October 21, 2014

The lawyer of #OscarPistorius kept on saying his client “had lost everything”. No, Reeva Steenkamp and her family have lost everything.

— Ahmed Kadry (@AhmedKadry) October 21, 2014

Dear #Reeva I’m sorry that your life has been deemed that cheap. #OscarPistorius #OscarSentencing

— Deborah Ho-Chung (@Deborah_HoChung) October 21, 2014

In court on Tuesday, Judge Masipa said although she was sitting with two assessors, the decision was “hers and hers alone”.

She said she wanted to find a balance between retribution, deterrence and rehabilitation, dismissing defence claims that the disabled athlete would face particular suffering in prison.

“It would be a sad day for this country if an impression were to be created that there was one law for the poor and disadvantaged, and another for the rich and famous,” she said.

She also weighed his ability to cope with incarceration given his physical disability.

“Yes, the accused is vulnerable, but he also has excellent coping skills,” she said.

Discussing the gravity of Pistorius’ crime, the judge said he had been responsible of “gross negligence”.

“Using a lethal weapon, a loaded firearm, the accused fired not one, but four shots into the door,” said Masipa.

“The toilet was a small cubicle and there was no room for escape for the person behind the door,” she said.

Steenkamp family hails ‘the right sentence’

Barry and June Steenkamp arrive at court. Photo: AAP

Steenkamp’s ailing father Barry said he was “very glad” the seven-month trial was over, while her mother June said she was “satisfied” with the sentence.

The family’s lawyer Dup de Bruyn said the sentence would likely be served as two years in prison and three years under house arrest.

Judge Masipa told the court said there was nothing she could say to bring back Steenkamp, but hoped the sentence would provide some “closure” to her family.

Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of at least 10 years for Pistorius, arguing the punishment must be in line with society’s expectations.

But the athlete’s legal team said he had already been punished enough and any sentence should be limited to house arrest and community service.

The maximum sentence he faced was 15 years in jail.

Pistorius’ uncle Arnold told reporters outside the court that they would not be appealing the decision.

The trial has drawn international attention and media gathered outside the courthouse shortly after dawn to get into position for the star runner’s entrance, and the arrival of friends and families on both sides of the case who have attended the long trial.

Banned from Paralympics

The athlete, famously known as Blade Runner because of his speed using carbon fibre blades, made history by becoming the first Paralympian to compete against able-bodied athletes at the 2012 London Olympics.

However, he will not be allowed to run in the Paralympics for the whole of his five-year jail term, even if he is released early under house arrest.

“He will not be able to compete for five years. For us he would have to serve the whole term even if he was released early,” International Paralympic Committee spokesman Craig Spence told AFP.

Pistorius, who was amputated below the knee at the age of 11 months, has won sprint gold medals at three Paralympic Games.

The next Paralympics are in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 but the organisers said Pistorius could only consider competing if his sentence was reduced on appeal.

Oscar Pistorius departs the North Gauteng High Court. Photo: Getty

– with agencies