Pistorius 'With Family' After Release From Jail

Oscar Pistorius is with his family after being released on parole but "his sentence continues", a family spokesman has said.

The athlete was freed after a year behind bars and will now serve the rest of his five-year sentence under house arrest.

He is expected to live at the home of his uncle Arnold Pistorius in a smart suburb of Pretoria, where he lived while on bail during his seven-month trial in the city last year.

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The 28-year-old was found guilty of culpable homicide - the equivalent of manslaughter - after the death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013.

She was killed when he fired four 9mm shots through a locked toilet door at his gated home.

Pistorius told the trial he had mistaken her for a burglar and was acting in self-defence.

Speaking after Pistorius' release, which happened hours earlier than expected, family spokesman Anneliese Burgess told reporters: "It is very important for the family to emphasise that Oscar's sentence hasn't been shortened or reduced.

"He's simply entering the next phase of his sentence now and he will serve this under the strict conditions that govern correctional supervision."

The terms of his release are not public, but they are likely to allow some movement and a job approved by authorities. He will not be allowed to leave the country.

He may also have to complete community service.

The psychiatric treatment he received in prison will continue and he will be barred from having firearms.

A return to training has not been ruled out and it is not thought Pistorius will be required to wear an electronic tag.

Pistorius' legal team says he is desperate to put his life back together and wants to work with disadvantaged youngsters.

The reaction to his release from Miss Steenkamp's family and friends has been mixed.

Jenny Strydom, a friend of Miss Steenkamp's family, said Pistorius was serving the remainder of his sentence "in a five-star way", adding: "It will be a lot easier than prison, put it that way. At least he'll be able to eat steak and chips."

Tania Koen, lawyer for the Steenkamp family, said: "They don't want to avenge Reeva's death, nothing will bring Reeva back.

"They don't mean Oscar any harm, even though they do feel that justice must be served."

Prosecutors are currently appealing the culpable homicide verdict.

They argue he should have been found guilty of murder because Pistorius must have known the person behind the door could be killed when he opened fire.

If the appeal due to be heard on 3 November is successful, Pistorius could be jailed again before the end of the year - and would face a minimum of 15 years behind bars. South Africa no longer has the death penalty.