Steenkamp's father speaks out

The father of Oscar Pistorius' girlfriend has warned the athlete will have to "live with his conscience" if he is lying about how he killed her.

Barry Steenkamp said the Paralympian will "suffer alone" if his claim that he shot 29-year-old Reeva Steenkamp accidentally is false.

But Steenkamp told the Afrikaans-language Beeld newspaper he might be able to forgive Pistorius one day if the double-amputee is telling the truth.

His remarks were issued as the athlete appeared to issue his first public statement after being released on bail on Friday charged with premeditated murder over the Valentine's Day killing of the model.

In a tweet apparently signed by the athlete, using his elder brother Carl's Twitter account, he thanked those who had prayed for the families involved: "Thank-you to every person that has prayed for both families, Osca."

The Paralympian, known worldwide as "Blade Runner", was granted bail following a four-day hearing in Pretoria, South Africa, a week after he shot Steenkamp dead at his home.

The athlete, who broke down in tears as chief magistrate Desmond Nair announced his decision, was later seen arriving at his uncle Arnold's home.

Pistorius, 26, claims he shot Steenkamp through a bathroom door thinking she was an intruder.

Prosecutors say he intended to kill the model, and he has been charged with premeditated murder.

After nearly two hours describing the reasons for his decision, Nair told the packed courtroom on Friday that he was granting bail until the next hearing on June 4.