Pistorius' health a cause for concern; psychologist pleads

A psychologist speaking for Oscar Pistorius during the commencement of his sentencing hearing on Monday said the athlete was “broken” and should be in hospital rather than prison.

“One would describe him as broken. In my opinion his current condition warrants hospitalisation,” Jonathan Scholtz said.

“He has developed a serious psychiatric condition which has become worse in the past two years,” Scholtz added.

The psychologist said Pistorius’ depression, anxiety, paranoia and social phobia had worsened in jail.

South Africa's Pistorius a broken man, psychologist tells court https://t.co/Wsg3Y3TnzP pic.twitter.com/15TOMdBMvK

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As the psychologist argued that it will be a difficult task for Pistorius to go through this trial due to his severe condition, chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel questioned how Pistorius had then been able to give an interview to a British network due to be broadcast on June 24.

Pistorius was first given a five-year sentence for culpable homicide of girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp although he had argued he mistook her for an intruder.

The conviction was later upgraded to murder after an appeal heard by the Supreme Court, which ruled in March that Pistorius had exhausted all his legal options and could no longer appeal.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled to run through this week. News Agencies