A leopard and his spots…

So not murder then, no not murder at all. Manslaughter, yes; but out on bail awaiting sentencing in about a month’s time; murder must mean something else in South Africa.

Do they never learn?

The first time I saw Oscar Pistorius on the news he reminded me of a cheetah as he flashed around the running track on his blade legs. I had to admire his drive and ambition. In his place I might have hidden myself away and spent my life watching TV. Here was a very determined and focussed man, a man to be reckoned with when the need arose. In retrospect, and as it’s turned out, he had more in common with a cheetah than I realised at that time.

The cheetah can move faster than any other land animal and has the ability to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in three seconds – so it’s quick. The cheetah is also a unique felid, a one off; its closest relatives are the puma and jaguarundi of the Americas. It’s notable for modifications in the paws, and is one of the few cats with only semi-retractable claws. In other words the cheetah’s claws are always half out. When hunting, it runs down prey easily and almost every facet of its anatomy, even its camouflaged pelt, has evolved to maximise its success in the chase. Its purpose is to kill and survive through speed and wits – even though most of its predators are stronger.

Clare Balding wrote recently after Pistorius lost the 200m in the last Paralympics to Brazil’s Alan Oliveira, who beat him with only a few yards to go: “Pistorius was furious. Funnily enough, I did not think his behaviour after the 200m was odd. Just interesting. I have seen plenty of sportsmen react badly to defeat and for him to blame the length of Alan Oliviera’s blades was petulant and unsporting, but it wasn’t odd – except that it came from him. The stranger thing was the way he appeared at the medals ceremony the next day. The look was very ‘Clark Kent’. Oscar’s hair was gelled flat, he was clean shaven and wearing black rimmed spectacles. He bowed his head on the podium, saying clearly with his body language, ‘I am contrite, I am humbled. Please still love me.”

I know it’s an obvious thing to say, but it seems that Pistorius is a pretty good actor (I’ll leave you to crack the Oscar joke).

Just how this man has not been found guilty of murder is beyond me. His former girlfriend, Samantha Taylor, who dated him for 18-months, says he made her sit on a naughty step and would drive at 200mph after he flew into a rage with her. She said she feared he would kill her and even once hid his gun. She also claims that she was left with bruises and scars after he bit and pinched her.

So, Pistorius is cleared of murdering his model ­girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp because the judge has ruled that premeditation has not been proven. Apparently there was only circumstantial evidence of an argument and uncorroborated witnesses' statements count for nothing. I may be oversimplifying, but he shot four bullets through a bathroom door at ‘someone’ who was cowering on the other side. At close range and given it was an unprovoked action, how could he not foresee and want their death? In my book that is murder regardless who he believed the victim to be or not to be.

I still see a cheetah when I look at Pistorius, although now he is in the dock and not on the running track. This time when I look though I not only see a creature of great speed, but I also see a wild killer determined to win at any cost who keeps his claws half drawn at all times and uses his colouring, class, and even tears to camouflage the heartless killer he really is.

It seems the likes of bullies like Pistorius will never change their spots and nobody really expects them to. We should all hang our heads in shame.