Oscar Pistorius studying law through London university as he waits sentencing for Reeva Steenkamp murder

8 December 2015

Oscar Pistorius is studying law through a London university, it emerged today as he was released on bail while he awaits an appeal against his murder conviction.

The former Olympic and Paralympic athlete claimed he was studying law at the London School of Economics at a South Africa court hearing where he was released on £450 bail after claiming he “doesn’t have the money” to pay the previous bail of £46,000.

Pistorius, 29, said he had been studying “through correspondence” with the university while under house arrest.

He faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars after judges last week overturned his first trial’s manslaughter verdict for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, 29, in 2013.

In a new affidavit submitted in support of his bail application, he said: “I have enrolled at the London School of Economics for a BSc business with law degree. I study by way of correspondence and need daily access to the internet for this purpose.”

However, an LSE spokesman insisted this was “an error” because it did not offer correspondence courses.

He said the University of London did offer such courses through its International Programmes, with some courses “informed” by LSE staff.

On the ULU website, a business with law degree does not appear to be available for distance learning, although a BSc in management with law “with academic direction from the London School of Economics and Political Science”, costing £4,205 was available, suggesting Pistorius might have made a mistake in his court documents.

A University of London spokeswoman said: “We have a policy whereby we do not discuss confidential information relating to students.”

At the hearing at the North Gauteng high court, Pistorius’s lawyer Barry Roux confirmed he would appeal his conviction to the constitutional court, South Africa’s highest court.

He will argue that the panel of Supreme Court judges who overturned the “culpable homicide” conviction strayed into areas of fact, rather than law, when coming to their decision.

The affidavit claims the judges erred in deciding Pistorius “did not genuinely and honestly believe” his life and that of his girlfriend were in danger.

The appeal is not expected to be heard for months and lawyers agreed to return to court on April 18.

Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel said he believed Pistorius was a flight risk and wanted him banned from leaving his uncle’s house where he has been staying.

However, Judge Aubrey Ledwaba said he could leave the house between 7am and noon every day, but must wear an electronic tag.

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