Model: Pistorius messaged me during murder trial

Model Katie Price says Oscar Pistorius direct messaged her on Twitter during his murder trial. Photo/Getty

Katie Price claims that Oscar Pistorius sent her direct messages during the course of his trial over Twitter.

The Paralympian was found guilty of culpable homicide after fatally shooting girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. He has been sentenced to five years in prison, although legal experts predict that he could only serve 10 months behind bars and will spend the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.

Price wrote about Pistorius in a magazine column in March, in which she commented that she would not "judge Oscar on other people's theories portrayed in the media".

"He was direct messaging me during the case," she told The Mirror. "It's weird, isn't it? He was saying, 'Thanks for the support,' and stuff. Just all general chit-chat. He was the first one to message me.

"Because I mentioned him in my column, he was referencing that. I wasn't exactly supporting him, but everyone who goes through a trial will be the only one who knows what really happened.

"You're innocent until you're proven guilty."

It was Price's brother who first noticed Pistorius' direct messages sent via Twitter.

"He said, 'Oh my god, Kate - have a look at who's direct messaged you on Twitter.' I said, 'It's got to be fake.' He said, 'No, it's from his verified account.'"

Price says she would "love" to interview the former sportsman.

"I would love to do something like Louis Theroux Meets ... that is my dream," she said.

South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority has announced it will appeal both the verdict and sentence handed down to Pistorius.

They will seek to have the culpable homicide verdict overturned, and replaced with a conviction for second degree murder, which would result in a mandatory minimum jail term of 15 years.

- Independent