Pictures emerge of Oscar Pistorius at target practice with gun that shot Reeva Steenkamp

Paralympian shows skills by shooting centre of watermelon

The accused: Oscar Pistorius appears at Pretoria magistrates’ court at a preliminary hearing in August 2013 (EPA)

Pictures of Oscar Pistorius firing the gun used to shoot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp dead have emerged days before he appears in court.

The Paralympian is seen showing off his skills with the pistol and a rifle in target practice in footage exclusively obtained by Sky News.

He is shown blasting a watermelon into pieces after hitting it right in the centre.

A voice like Pistorius' is heard remarking: “It's not as soft as brains but f*** it is a zombie stopper.”

Pistorius will appear in court on Monday accused of murdering Ms Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year.

Oscar Pistorius firing the gun that shot Reeva Steenkamp (Sky News)

He claims he shot her believing she was a burglar but is accused of killing her deliberately after a jealous row.

Before Ms Steenkamp’s death, Pistorius was already well-known for his enthusiasm for weapons.

He said he was afraid of intruders after burglaries and kept his 9mm pistol underneath his bed because he felt vulnerable.

Other rare footage obtained by Sky shows a very different version of the athlete aged just 17 at boarding school.He had tried running blades just months before and stunned the world by winning a gold medal in the 2004 Paralympics in Athens.

Pistorius bashfully attributed his success to his friends’ support and later said he believed it was God’s plan for his legs to be amputated.

“Everything happens for a reason. I wouldn't have taken up running if I was able bodied,” he added.

The trial, which will be broadcast live, is scheduled to continue for three weeks.