Photographs of Reeva Steenkamp after she was killed by Oscar Pistorius has been permitted by a judge to go public

A judge has dramatically agreed to release graphic pictures of Reeva Steenkamp's gunshot wounds after her parents begged for the 'world to see' the pain Oscar Pistorius had inflicted on their daughter.

The sensational ruling came during the Paralympian's sentencing hearing where he had earlier teetered on his stumps in the courtroom in a desperate last bid for leniency.  

The athlete, known as the Blade Runner, looked humiliated when he was asked to remove his prosthetic limbs during the televised hearing which will decide his murder sentence.

There was an awkward moment when Barry Steenkamp was forced to stand to make way for his daughter's killer as he left the dock for the dramatic demonstration. 

The spectacle of the one-time sporting superstar's demonstration across the court room prompted a number of family members, fans and members of the public to break down in tears.

Shown to the world with her parents' blessing: A judge has agreed to release shocking pictures of Reeva Steenkamp's gunshot injuries after her father begged for the 'world to see' the pain Oscar Pistorius had inflicted on his daughter when he shot her dead three years ago

Humiliated: Paralympic gold medalist Oscar Pistorius walks across the packed courtroom on his stumps in a desperate last bid to convince a judge he was too vulnerable to have killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp intentionally when he shot her at his home three years ago

His T-shirt wet with sweat and his red eyes filled with tears, Pistorius paused at the side of the court to remove his prosthetic limbs in the full view of the packed court. 

Loud sobs echoed around the wood-pannelled room as all eyes watched Pistorius move unsteadily, and much dramatically reduced in height, towards the front of the court.

As he struggled to stand still in front of the judge, and in the glare of live television coverage, a cameraman had to step forward to support him. 

His therapist leapt to his aid, guiding him towards the front bench of the court which he clutched to maintain his balance.

Pistorius, 29, appeared so humiliated by the demonstration that he could only stare at the floor, tears flooding down his cheeks, as his lawyer told the court how he did not wish 'to hide behind his fame'.

Source: Daily mail