Judge Masipa said: “Sentencing is about achieving the right balance. Sentencing is not a perfect exercise.”<\/p>\n
She said there must be a balance between retribution, deterrence and rehabilitation.<\/p>\n
The judge began summarising the evidence brought before the trial.<\/p>\n
She described the evidence of defence witness and social worker Annette Vergeer as “slapdash and disappointing”.<\/p>\n
Ms Vergeer had argued Pistorius would be “a lot more vulnerable than the normal man” in jail.<\/p>\n
But Judge Masipa said she was sure prisons were equipped to cater for the requirements of a special needs inmate.<\/p>\n
Continue reading the main story<\/a><\/p>\n #OscarPistorius<\/a> not an “insurmountable challenge” for South African prison system, says Judge Masipa.<\/p>\n andrew harding<\/a><\/span> just now<\/a><\/span><\/cite><\/p>\n Jump out of Tweet pane<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Judge cites defence concerns about#OscarPistorius<\/a> mental health in prison. But she seems to reject that too.<\/p>\n andrew harding<\/a><\/span> 2 minutes ago<\/a><\/span><\/cite><\/p>\n Jump out of Tweet pane<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n RT \u201c@SapaNews<\/a>: Judge Masipa: It would be unreasonable for this court to usurp functions of dept of corr services #Oscar<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n Nomsa Maseko<\/a><\/span> 3 minutes ago<\/a><\/span><\/cite><\/p>\n Jump out of Tweet pane<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Judge Masipa says she’s satisfied South African prisons are equipped to handle inmates with special needs. #OscarPistorius<\/a><\/p>\n Karin Giannone<\/a><\/span> 3 minutes ago<\/a><\/span><\/cite><\/p>\n Jump out of Tweet pane<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n #OscarTrial<\/a> I’m satisfied that correctional services can deal with inmates with special needs – Judhe Masipa<\/p>\n Nomsa Maseko<\/a><\/span> 4 minutes ago<\/a><\/span><\/cite><\/p>\n She also said she had a “feeling of unease” at what she called an overemphasis on the athlete’s vulnerability.<\/p>\n However, she said Pistorius had made an “enormous contribution to society”, in his charity work and in changing the public perception of disability.<\/p>\n The judge then read out a quote from previous legal opinion, saying that if sentences were too lenient, the administration of justice may fall into disrepute.<\/p>\n She said she found the suggestions of sentences made by defence witnesses “not appropriate”.<\/p>\nTweets<\/h2>\n
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Judge Masipa has ruled in a trial that has captured public attention in South Africa and beyond<\/div>\n![\"Reeva](\"http:\/\/news.bbcimg.co.uk\/media\/images\/78415000\/jpg\/_78415052_v1yosr9w.jpg\")
Oscar Pistorius shot dead Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year<\/div>\n