Ex-girlfriend tells of 'controlling' Pistorius

The ex-girlfriend of Oscar Pistorius has spoken of how the Paralympian was "controlling" during their relationship.

Samantha Taylor claimed the blade runner had a short temper and always slept with a gun near his bed but she never thought he was capable of shooting someone.

Ms Taylor said: "He was controlling. He always needed to know where I was and who I was with and what I was doing.

"I didn't really go out much knowing that it would upset him. If he couldn't get hold of me he would phone my friends or my family".

Her mother Tricia said she had felt guilty for feeling relief that it wasn't her daughter who had died but said her heart "broke" for the parents of Reeva Steenkamp.

Mrs Taylor told the interview: "I think he had too much stress on him, he cried a lot, he was under a lot of pressure and I think there were a lot of people around him but no one was supporting him.

"He was drowning in the pressure and the whole world was watching him and no one was there to watch him, she added.

She claimed there were two side to the Paralympian but that his mask "slipped with her".

"I think with Oscar he's very clever. He's very charming and he is very nice but I saw as I got to know him better that his mask or facade had slipped with me. He could be abrupt with me.

"If he saw someone else a stranger he would be very charming and very well-mannered so he could switch very quickly.

She continued: "I wouldn't say not no so nice I think he had a lot of emotional problems and I think he needed help. It is another part of the tragedy. No one was there to help."