South African murder-accused Pistorius seen out partying

Oscar Pistorius AP FILE PHOTO

JOHANNESBURG—South African Paralympian sprint star Oscar Pistorius was spotted partying last weekend at a trendy Johannesburg hangout, his first outing with friends since his arrest for the Valentine’s Day killing of his girlfriend, media reported Sunday.

According to a Sunday Times report, a “relaxed-looking” Pistorius was seen knocking back drinks at a party at an upmarket restaurant last Saturday, but did not stay long.

His publicist, Anneliese Burgess said the sprinter left the venue when “public interest became overwhelming.” According to Burgess he then moved on to another restaurant but left for the same reason.

“The place went quiet when people realised it was Oscar and [the mood] never really recovered from there,” a restaurant manager told the Sunday Times.

One patron of the restaurant said the double amputee, known as “Blade Runner” was seen downing shooters and being “flirtatious” before leaving.

“He was greeting a couple and then gave the woman a little pat on her backside. It was just so inappropriate,” said the woman.

The paper reported that Pistorius was at the first restaurant in a group that included a wealthy businessman friend. They were watched over by bodyguards.

Burgess said the outing was a way of “trying to reconnect with friends of his and Reeva’s.”

Pistorius, 26, whose athletics career has been on hold since he was arrested for shooting dead 29-year-old Reeva Steenkamp, has kept a low profile since he was released on bail on February 22.

The runner claims that he shot Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door in the dead of the night, after having mistaken her for an intruder. He is facing a charge of pre-meditated murder.

Last month he successfully challenged his strict bail conditions, including travel restrictions and alcohol consumption.

The athlete returns to court on June 4.