Intro:

Arnold Pistorius, the uncle of jailed paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, makes a public statement on behalf of the athlete's family.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Arnold Pistorius, Oscar Pistorius' uncle:

"This has been an incredibly hard painful process for everyone involved. The Steenkamp family, our family and Oscar. It has been a harrowing 20 months. We are all emotionally drained and exhausted.

"The court has now handed down judgement and sentence, and we accept the judgement. Oscar will embrace this opportunity to pay back to society.

"I hope Oscar will start his own healing process as we walk down the path of restoration. As a family we are ready to support and guide Oscar as he serves his sentence."