Pistorius lawyers want bail relaxed

Murder accused Oscar Pistorius has applied to the Pretoria High Court to have his bail conditions altered.

The Paralympic gold medal winner’s lawyers will argue in court this week his bail conditions are unwarranted and unfair, according to local reports.

On February 22nd, Magistrate Desmond Nair granted Mr Pistorius (26) bail if he lodged a surety of R1m (¤86,000) with the court. Other conditions include he must not return to his home at Silver Woods Estate in Pretoria, where he shot dead his girlfriend, or speak to anyone who lives there. He also had to hand in his passport, stay away from airports and sign on at his local police station each day from Monday to Friday.

The athlete is accused of murdering model Reeva Steenkamp on St Valentine's Day. He denies the charge, maintaining the shooting was an accident caused by his thinking Miss Steenkamp was a burglar.

Papers lodged to the high court last week by Mr Pistorius’s lawyers allegedly maintain their client should be allowed to travel if given permission by the investigating officer in the case, because he was found not to be a flight risk during the bail hearing.

The athlete, known as the Blade Runner because of the carbon fibre blades he uses to race on, also contends it should not be necessary for him to report to a police station, and that he should be allowed to return to his home.

His legal team will also argue it was unfair to place a “blanket order” on Mr Pistorius that does not allow him talk to residents in his community.

Meanwhile, a lawyer acting for Ms Steenkamp’s parents has said they are considering a civil claim against the athlete for loss of income. It has been reported the top model was their main source of income and that since her death they have struggled financially.