Oscar Pistorius is a suicide candidate: South African Court

Oscar Pistorius

Pretoria: Paralympian star sprinter Oscar Pistorius is suffering from post-traumatic stress after killing his girlfriend and is a suicide risk, a South African court heard yesterday.

The diagnosis was contained in a psychological report read to the court by lawyer Barry Roux, who is defending Pistorius on charges that he deliberately shot and killed model Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year.

"Mr Pistorius has been severely traumatised by the events that took place," Roux quoted the report as saying. "He currently suffers from a post-traumatic stress disorder and a major depressive disorder. He is also mourning the loss of Ms Steenkamp."

"Should he not receive proper clinical care, his condition is likely to worsen and increase the risks for suicide."