Oscar Pistorius bail decision expected today

Murder-accused South African athlete Oscar Pistorius is expected to find out today if he has been granted bail.

The Paralympic champion is accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, 29, a model and law graduate.

Pistorius denies murder, saying he shot Steenkamp thinking she was an intruder at his home.

Prosecutors have told the court it was a premeditated murder, with Pistorius firing four shots through a locked toilet door at Steenkamp on the other side.

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She was hit in the head, arm and hip.

The athlete's bail hearing got underway on Tuesday, and a South African judge is expected to rule in the next few hours whether he can be freed on bail.

If the request is denied, Pistorius could face months in prison before a full trial begins later this year.

The prosecution argues there is a risk Pistorius may abscond and bail should be refused.

Meanwhile the athlete's defence says contradictory evidence given by a detective has undermined the prosecution's case.

Hilton Botha, the lead detective in the case, was dropped yesterday after it emerged he faced attempted murder charges.

In a shocking turn of events it was revealed the long-standing policeman faces seven counts of attempted murder.

Det Botha and two other officers are due to appear in court in May, a police spokesman said.

It is alleged in 2011 while driving a state-owned vehicle the three had opened fire on a minibus taxi filled with passengers.

Botha has been replaced by South Africa's most senior detective, Lt Gen Vineshkumar Moonoo.

Lead defence lawyer Barry Roux said: "The poor quality of the evidence offered by investigative officer Botha exposed the disastrous shortcomings of the state's case."

The defence has asked for the charge of premeditated murder to be downgraded.

The defence counsel said the fact Pistorius had carried Steenkamp downstairs after the shooting showed he was desperate to save her life.

Roux said a post-mortem examination showed Steenkamp had an empty bladder at the time of her death, indicating she visited the bathroom of her own accord rather than to escape her boyfriend.

But prosecutor Gerrie Nel branded Pistorius a man "prone to violence" who threatened Steenkamp and eventually killed her.

In a closing statement, the prosecution said Pistorius' version of events was "improbable".

The athlete's coach Ampie Louw said Pistorius hopes to resume training next week if he is granted bail.