Probation Officer Annette Vergeer has today read a report she compiled on Pistorius's suitability for prison to the court.

She described that imprisonment would be an: 'excessive punishment' for the Paralympian, and that putting him in jail would not be fair based on his disability and mental state.

Vergeer added that Oscar could not be a 'useful member of society' inside, but could continue to be a productive member of the community if he received a non-custodial sentence. She returned to the point several times that imprisonment would 'destroy him as a person' and 'take away his future.'

Members of the Steenkamp family could be seen mouthing: 'This is ridiculous' as Vergeer's report was read aloud.

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Yesterday, the court heard from three witnesses for the defence.

The first was Pistorius’s personal psychologist Dr Lore Hartzenburg, who testified that Oscar is now a ‘broken man,’ wracked by guilt and remorse since killing his 29-year-old lover in the early hours of Valentine’s Day 2013.

Second was correctional services worker Joel Maringa, who told the court he believes Pistorius should undergo house arrest and community work, but should not be imprisoned. Gerrie Nel, of the prosecution, branded this suggestion ‘shockingly inappropriate.’

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Lastly we heard from Oscar’s longstanding manager, Peet van Zyl, who detailed Pistorius’s extensive charity work. The Paralympian’s contribution to society will be one of the factors the judge will take into account when deciding the sentence.

On Tuesday morning, Gerrie Nel suggested Pistorius’s charity work was a self-serving exercise, and that he did most of it to improve prospects for himself and his career.

The trial continues.