Oscar Pistorius 'could be freed as early as 21 August, 2015'.

Oscar Pistorius

Oscar Pistorius could be freed on 21 August after serving just ten months for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, according to reports.

Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide last September after shooting his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp four times through a locked toilet door on Valentine's Day in 2013.

He was sentenced to five years in October last year, but could be released on house arrest as early as 21 August following a recommendation from South Africa's correctional services department, reports the BBC. 

 Prosecutors, who have launched an appeal to escalate the conviction from culpable homicide to the more serious charge of murder, are expected to have their case heard in South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal in November.

The state has until 17 August to submit court papers outlining its argument. Then Pistorius's defence team has until 17 September to submit a response.

Last September, Masipa ruled that the prosecution had not provided enough evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Pistorius foresaw that he might kill somebody when he fired four shots into his toilet door. Therefore, Pistorius was cleared of murder and convicted on the lesser charge of culpable homicide.

However, the prosecution team – led by Gerrie Nel – claimed Masipa had "erred" on the conviction and described the sentence as "shockingly light".