Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been found guilty of culpable homicide.

The sportsman, who was cleared of murdering Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day, will face up to 15 years in prison under the jurisdiction that he did not intend to kill his girlfriend.

The verdict from the six-month trial comes following judge Thokozile Masipa’s decision that “the evidence does not support the state’s contention that Pistorius foresaw he would kill person behind door.”

The athlete was also convicted of three gun offences but freed of charges including possession of illegal ammunition and two counts of discharging firearms in public in November 2012 and January 2013.

Pistorius was first charged with murder last year after Steenkamp was found dead at the couple’s home in Pretoria on Valentine’s Day.  The athlete’s girlfriend suffered multiple gun wounds to the head and arm.

During the trial, Pistorius had recalled the night of the murder and told the court that he and his girlfriend had dinner that night before watching television and falling asleep.

He continued to defend his case by arguing that he heard noises from the bathroom and thought Steenkamp was an intruder and made no intention of killing her.

“I thought that there was a burglar that was gaining entry to my home,” said the Olympian.

According to his description, the athlete then grabbed a 9mm pistol and told his girlfriend to quietly call the police.

He then fired four shots into the bathroom and used a bat to smash open the door to find Steenkamp’s body.

Pistorius pleaded not guilty in March despite evidence given by witnesses. A neighbour allegedly heard ‘petrified and blood-curdling screams’ at 3am followed by the sounds of gunshots.

Commentators have argued that this controversial verdict will not be the end of Pistorius’ trial, with legal battles and appeals likely to follow.

Abla Klaa

Photo credit: Liza Van Deventer | Foto24 | Getty Images