Prosecutors are set to
begin outlining their case for South African athlete Oscar Pistorius to
serve a jail term for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
The defence says a custodial term is inappropriate. Its final witness at the sentencing hearing has concluded.Pistorius was found guilty of the culpable homicide of Ms Steenkamp last month - but was cleared of murder.
Meanwhile the family of Reeva Steenkamp released a new statement saying they wanted no money from Pistorius.
The sentencing hearing is expected to last several days.Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said before the recess for lunch on Wednesday that he would call three or four witnesses.
Wednesday's hearing began with Mr Nel continuing to cross-examine social worker Annette Vergeer.
The defence witness on Tuesday said that Pistorius should be placed under house arrest rather than sent to prison, because he would be "a lot more vulnerable than the normal man" in jail.
Mr Nel said her opinion of a sentence of house arrest plus community service was "shockingly inappropriate" and "cannot be considered".
He said a suggestion of correctional duties working with underprivileged children would not take Pistorius out of his "comfort zone".
Ms Vergeer said there had been other cases of culpable homicide where the opinions she had put forward had been implemented.
Meanwhile, the family of Reeva Steenkamp issued a new statement on Wednesday, via their lawyer Dup de Bruyn, following revelations in court on Tuesday that Pistorius had made them monthly payments.
It had been revealed that the Steenkamps accepted monthly payments of 6,000 rand (£340; $540) from March 2013 to September 2014.
A statement issued by Mr de Bruyn said: "After Ms Steenkamp was killed... the parents were in financial difficulties.
"We were contacted soon afterwards by Mr Pistorius' lawyers with an offer that Mr Pistorius would contribute an amount... towards the parents' rental and living expenses."
The statement said Mr de Bruyn had also approached the Pistorius legal team over a possible civil settlement and was made an offer of $34,000.
"When the parents were made aware of this offer, they considered it carefully but decided, for various reasons, that they did not want any payment from Mr Pistorius," the statement said.
"This is also why we were instructed to advise that no civil claim would be instituted."
Any money received from Mr Pistorius would be paid back, it said.
The statement said the Steenkamps were surprised the payments had come out in court as it was the athlete who had asked for them to remain secret.
The Paralympic sprinter denied murdering Ms Steenkamp after a row on Valentine's Day last year, saying he shot her by mistake.
He faces up to 15 years in jail after being found guilty of culpable homicide, although the judge may suspend the sentence or impose a fine.
Ms Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model and law graduate, was hit three times by bullets shot through a toilet door by Pistorius at his home in the capital, Pretoria.
BBC News
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