Oscar Pistorius found GUILTY of manslaughter over the Valentine's Day shooting of his lover Reeva Steenkamp

Guilty: Pistorius could now face a prison term of up to 15 years, but equally may walk free from court with a suspended term when he is sentenced at a later date

Oscar Pistorius is facing jail after being found guilty of manslaughter over the Valentine's Day shooting of his girlfriend.

The Paralympian stood impassively in the dock, his hands folded in front of him, as the judge convicted him of culpable homicide after he shot Reeva Steenkamp dead at his home.

He could now face a prison term of up to 15 years, but equally may walk free from court with a suspended term when he is sentenced at a later date.

Judge Thokozile Masipa told the hushed courtroom: 'Having regard to the totality of this evidence in this matter, the unanimous decision of this court is the following: on count one, murder... the accused found not guilty and is discharged.

'Instead he is found guilty of culpable homicide.'

Miss Steenkamp's father Barry leaned forward in his seat when the manslaughter verdict was read, while her mother, June, showed no reaction.

Members of Pistorius's family embraced the shamed athlete.

Strain: Reeva Steenkamp's mother June and father Barry react as the manslaughter verdict is delivered

 The fatal shots: Four holes are seen on the toilet door from bullets fired by Pistorius, three of which hit Miss Steenkamp - in the arm, head and hip

 Scene of horror: This photograph shows the blood-soaked bathroom where Oscar Pistorius shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the toilet cubicle (top) with his 9mm pistol (seen lying on a bathmat, right) and the blood-splattered cricket bat (bottom right) he used to break down the toilet door after killing her

 Grim: Another graphic image shows a pool of blood at the bottom of the staircase where Pistorius carried Miss Steenkamp after shooting her. Blue arrows point to specks of blood on the wall and floor