South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to six years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.

He was taken immediately to jail. The prosecution and defence can appeal.

The verdict comes after his initial five-year conviction for manslaughter was changed to murder last December after the prosecution appealed.

Pistorius, 29, shot Reeva Steenkamp four times through a locked toilet door in February 2013.

He admitted shooting Ms Steenkamp but said he mistook her for an intruder and acted out of fear.

In an hour-long session, Judge Thokozile Masipa said mitigating circumstances, such as rehabilitation and remorse, outweighed aggravating factors for deviating from the prescribed 15-year sentence for murder.

Pistorius has already served one year in jail.

Dressed in a dark suit, Pistorius listened to the judge mostly with his head down.

Ms Steenkamp's parents, Barry and June, sat on the other side of the courtroom, which was packed with journalists and observers.

Pistorius has already served one year in jail.

The six-time Paralympic gold medallist made history by becoming the first amputee sprinter to compete at the Olympics, in 2012 in London, running on prosthetic "blades".

He had his legs amputated below the knee as a baby.

Shock and dismay, by Pumza Fihlani, BBC News, in Pretoria

Many have expressed shock at Oscar Pistorius's sentence, which is much less than the prescribed minimum for murder here. South Africans have taken to social media to express their unhappiness, with some describing the prison term as an insult.

Outside court, legal experts said the sentence was too little. "The judge was sympathetic and empathetic to Pistorius. It was clear in the tone of her entire judgement," one said.

But Ms Masipa said she carefully considered the circumstances around Reeva Steenkamp's death and her sentence needed to be fair to both Pistorius and the family of the deceased.

South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, and some say a short sentence will send the wrong message to would-be-offenders.

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Reeva Steenkamp's parents were at the court to listen to the sentencing 

Pistorius has already served one year in jail over his previous conviction.

He is legally obliged to serve half of his new sentence in prison before being eligible for parole.

Barry Steenkamp later told the BBC he was pleased that the trial was over even though life would never be the same again.

Pistorious hugs his sister Aimee before being taken away to prison

Ms Steenkamp's parents had previously expressed disappointment with the initial five-year sentence, an opinion shared by many South Africans. Women's rights groups considered it too lenient.

But in her decision, Judge Masipa said her opinion was that "a long term in prison will not serve justice".

"Public opinion may be loud and persistent but it can play no role in the decision of this court," she said.

Ms Masipa also said there was "no indication" the victim was in an abusive relationship or this was a case of "gender violence".

Some rights groups have also said Pistorius, a wealthy white man and international celebrity, has received preferential treatment compared to others without his status or wealth.