Oscar Pistorius returns to court over Steenkamp killing

South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has returned to court for the first time since he was freed on bail over the killing of his girlfriend.

The pre-trial hearing is likely to be brief, with the prosecution and defence expected to seek a postponement.

Mr Pistorius shot Reeva Steenkamp through the bathroom door of his house in Pretoria on 14 February.

He denies committing murder, saying he was acting in self-defence after mistaking her for an intruder.

The case is unlikely to come to a full trial until early next year, the BBC's Andrew Harding reports from South Africa.

Once prosecutors have concluded, they will reveal their evidence to the defence team, which will then almost certainly request more time for its experts to examine and challenge the prosecution's conclusions.

On Monday, Mr Pistorius's family said they were "shaken" by leaked, graphic photos published by Sky News, which showed the bathroom where 29-year-old Reeva Steenkamp was killed.

Police said they were "disgusted" by the leak.

Mr Pistorius, 26, is a double amputee who won gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and also competed in the Olympics.

His arrest in February stunned many South Africans who saw him as a national sporting hero after his long legal battle to be able to compete in the Olympics.

The prosecution has accused him of premeditated murder, alleging that he killed Steenkamp intentionally after a fight.

Mr Pistorius was freed on a bail of 1 million rand (£74,000; $110,000). A court in March eased his travel restrictions, allowing him to leave South Africa to compete as long as he complied with certain conditions.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22763300