• Athletics

Tearful Pistorius has bail hearing postponed

Global Paralympic icon Oscar Pistorius shed tears after arriving at court on Friday morning charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, who was found dead at his home on Thursday.

Pistorius attempted to obscure his face with a notepad as he arrived to a significant media gathering, and he was visibly upset when brought before magistrates. The South African was formally charged with one count of murder.

Steenkamp was shot multiple times and Pistorius was held overnight in a police station ahead of Friday's court appearance, where a decision was expected to be taken on whether he should be granted bail.

However, that bail hearing has now been postponed until Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Pistorius will be held at a local police station until his next appearance.

Brigadier Denise Beukes confirmed on Thursday police will likely oppose any bail application that is made, but the defence will tell the court that Pistorius is not a flight risk.

Blood tests have been taken from Pistorius, and forensic experts will complete their examination of the South African's house, where Ms Steenkamp was shot four times. A 9mm pistol was recovered by police.

Beukes previously expressed surprise at suggestions that Ms Steenkamp was killed after being mistaken for a burglar. "Our forensic investigation is still ongoing, but we are not sure where this report came from," Beukes said. "There were no reports of forced entry."

It was also confirmed that no other suspects are being sought. "The only two people on the premises were the resident and deceased," she said.

Pistorius has established himself as a national hero after becoming the first double-amputee track athlete to compete in the Olympic Games. At London 2012 he reached the 400m semi-finals, before winning gold in the Paralympic 4x100 relay and T44 400m.

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