Olympian in court for death of girlfriend

South African Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, below, arrived in court today to face a murder charge after his girlfriend was found dead in his home.

Known as “the blade runner” Pistorius is alleged to have shot and killed model Reeva Steenkamp, 29, at his home near Pretoria in South Africa in the early hours of yesterday morning.

She died at the scene after gunshot wounds to the head and upper body.

Early reports suggested Mr Pistorius might have mistaken his girlfriend for an intruder.

Police say neighbours heard screaming and shouting around the time of the shooting, Mr Pistorius spent the night in a police station before being driven to the court.