(Image source from: Pistorius lost sports career})

South African Paralympian star sprinter Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday for the killing of his girlfriend last year, as his sensational trial reached a climax.

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.

He was found guilty of culpable homicide in September but cleared of murde.

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," said Masipa.

The athlete made history by becoming the first Paralympian to compete against able-bodied athletes at the 2012 London Olympics, inspiring millions with his story.

Steenkamp family say they are satisfied with the sentence

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said such a sentence would be "shockingly inappropriate" and could cause South Africans to lose faith in their legal system.

Aw: Arun kumar