Oscar Pistorius is sentenced to six years for murdering Reeva Steenkamp

Oscar Pistorious could be freed from jail within a year, despite being sentenced to six year's jail for murdering his girlfriend, according to a leading defence lawyer. The family of Reeva Steenkamp said they would not launch an appeal over her killer's six-year jail sentence insisting 'nothing will bring her back'.

Fallen superstar Pistorius was sent to jail over the murder this morning - but could be eligible to be considered for parole after serving just half of the sentence.

And one leading defence lawyer, who was on the shortlist to defend Pistorius following his arrest, said Pistorius could actually be freed after just one year.

Mike Hellens - who is the South African equivalent of a QC - explained that because the judge did not specify that she had taken into account the year he has already spent behind bars, Pistorius' lawyers could successfully argue for that time to be deducted from the six year term handed down, making him eligible to be considered for parole in two and a half years.

Pistorius, 29, shot Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine's Day in 2013, claiming he mistook her for a burglar when he fired four times through the door of his bedroom toilet

Mr Hellens added that South Africa's sentencing laws empowered prison bosses would be be free to approach a judge to have Pistorius released into house arrest after just one more year behind bars. 

Mr Hellens said: 'The judge was not clear in her judgment, but there is an argument that the Supreme Court of Appeal set aside his earlier conviction and the sentence.

'So, his lawyer could argue that he has done one year already and then he could be out in two and half years on straight parole.

'Or, according to this law, the prisons authorities could approach the judge in one year from now and ask her to reconsider the sentence and release him on correctional supervision, or house arrest.'

The one-time Olympic icon clutched at his family as he was led down to the cells to await his return to prison after being sentenced by Judge Thokozile Masipa.

At the same time, Reeva's parents June and Barry maintained a dignified silence and comforted the model's cousin Kim Martins as she wept in court.

Dup De Bruyn, solicitor for the Steenkamp family, said afterwards: 'The law has run its course, nothing will bring Reeva back.' 

Although the state were given the opportunity to announce an appeal against the decision, they declined to do so. 

The 29-year-old runner's sister Aimee, wept loudly - her hands clasped to her face – as she watched her older brother descend into the bowls of Pretoria's High Court – where the latest chapter of Pistorius' extraordinary life has played out for the last two years.

Jenna Edkins, the double amputee's former girlfriend, who has reportedly moved back in with him to provide comfort during his last few weeks of freedom, whispered to him and held his sleeve as he passed slowly.

Oscar Pistorius is sentenced to six years for murdering Reeva Steenkamp