The six-time Paralympic gold medallist was handed a five year sentence last October on a culpable homicide verdict after shooting Steenkamp dead through a bathroom door on Valentines Day.

He claimed afterwards he had shot her by accident after mistaking her for a burglar.

South African State Prosecutors are due to begin an appeal into his acquittal of murder charge in November, but in the meantime the 28-year-old is eligible for release under "correctional supervision" having served a sixth of his sentence.

This would be likely to involved house arrest, which would allow him far more freedom and, possibly, the opportunity to begin training again. 

Steenkamp's parents have said that 10 months in jail is "not enough for taking a life".

"We fear that this will not send out the proper message and serve as the deterrent it should," they added in a statement to the Parole Board.

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