Oscar Pistorius has been given a six-year prison sentence, for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in 2013.

The 29-year-old was found guilty of killing Steenkamp by an Appeal Court in December last year, but he received his sentence on Wednesday morning in a Pretoria Court.

Pistorius, a six-time Paralympic gold medalist, shot Steenkamp through a toilet door in February 2013.

Judge Thokozile Masipa said Pistorius’ case had substantial and compelling circumstances, which justified a lesser sentence.

“Although a custodial sentence is a proper sentence, I am of a view that a long term of imprisonment will not serve justice in this matter,” Masipa said.

“The accused has already served a sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment, he is a first offender and, considering the facts of this matter, he is not likely to re-offend.”

Many legal experts had expected the Olympic runner to get between 11 and 14 years.

Jacqui Mofokeng, spokeswoman of the ruling ANC party’s women league, told AFP: “We are very disappointed. From five years [the culpable homicide sentence] that we fought against, and now it is six, what is that?

“It’s an insult to the women of South Africa.”