Oscar Pistorius’ trial gets under way

South African olympian, Oscar Pistorius, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Steenkamp was found shot dead in the couple’s home in the early hours of the morning on Valentine’s Day 2013, which Pistorius is claiming was an accident.

Prosecutors say the two were arguing which led to Steenkamp locking herself in the bathroom and Pistorious shooting her through the door out of anger.

Mr Pistorius’ lawyer told the court that as far as Pistrorius was concerned, his girlfriend was in bed while an intruder was in the bathroom.

“I approached the bathroom armed with my firearm so as to defend Reeva and I. At that time I believed Reeva was still in the bed,” Pistorius said in his statement.

Ms Burger, the first witness in court said she woke from the sound of screaming.

“I sat upright in bed. My husband also woke up from the screams…she screamed terribly and she yelled for help. Then I also heard a man scream for help,” she said.

“Just after her screams, I heard four shots. Four gunshots,” said Ms Burger.

A second witness, Estelle Van Der Merwe, told the court that she was woken by the sound of an argument and placed a pillow on her head “in the hope of falling asleep again.”

If found guilty, Pistorius could face life imprisonment.

The trial continues.

Vanessa Smart