South African Paralympic and Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has denied murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp "in the strongest terms", according to his family and management.

Pistorius appeared in court today charged with the murder of 29-year-old Ms. Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria on Thursday. The prosecution said the 26-year-old is guilty of the premeditated murder of his girlfriend, and upon hearing the charges, Pistorius broke down in tears, holding his head in his hands.

In the full statement released afterwards, the athlete disputed the murder charges and offered his deepest sympathies to Steenkamp's family, saying what had happened was a, "terrible, terrible tragedy".

Pistroius was arrested after Ms Steenkamp was found shot dead at his Silver Woods home on Thursday. South African media have reported Pistorius shot his girlfriend four times through a bathroom door.

Pistorius is due to return to court for a bail hearing on 19 February. He will remain in custody at a police station in Brooklyn, Pretoria until then.

Written and presented by Alfred Joyner