AFTER WATCHING HIM for over six months as he sat in the court dock, often crying and sometimes vomiting into a bucket, members of the public in the gallery saw Oscar Pistorius being led away to a police cell this morning.
What was left behind of the 27 year old was captured in this poignant image by South African journalist Aislinn Laing.
The white roses were given to the athlete by a supporter ahead of today’s hearing, while the sick bucket has been in place for the trial, after a number of incidents which saw the accused overcome with grief and illness.
Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison by Judge Thokozile Masipa today, but it is thought that much of the term could be spent under house arrest, rather than jail.
However, he will sleep in a cell for the first time tonight. Standing while the judge delivered her sentence, the athlete was stony-faced and didn’t react to his jail term. However, he looked distressed as he was led by officers from the dock.
It is understood that he was taken to the cells at the court immediately after today’s proceedings.
His sister Aimee sent his washbag and phone down to him but no members of the family were allowed to see him. They said they were satisfied with this rule and that he had to be “treated the same” as every other prisoner.
The 27 year old was later transferred with a number of other prisoners to Pretoria Central. He will spend tonight in the hospital wing of the facility.
In a statement issued through their uncle, Arnold Pistorius, the family said they accept today’s ruling and sentence. He noted that the family were “completely drained and exhausted” and that the past 20 months had been “harrowing” for both the Pistorius and Steenkamp families.
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