Oscar Pistorius breaks silence one year on: Reeva Steenkamp Valentine's Day death was a 'devastating accident'

The Paralympic athlete speaks on the anniversary of Ms Steenkamp's death

Oscar Pistorius stands in the Magistrate Court in Pretoria after appearing for the first time since being freed on bail over the Valentine's Day killing of his model girlfriend, 2013

Oscar Pistorius has marked the death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp with a rare statement, a year after he fatally shot her on Valentine's Day.

The South African Paralympic athlete said he is "consumed" with "pain and sadness" in the statement released to mark the first anniversary of Ms Steenkamp's death, who was killed in his bathroom in the early hours of 14 February 2013.

Prosecutors allege the track star, who is out on bail, intentionally shot her through the locked door of his bathroom after an argument, but Pistorius claims he believed Ms Steenkamp was an intruder.

If convicted of premeditated murder following the trial, due to start on 3 March, he could face life imprisonment with a minimum of 25 years before parole.

In a statement, the double amputee widely known as 'Blade Runner' said: "No words can adequately capture my feelings about the devastating accident that has caused such heartache for everyone who truly loved - and continues to love Reeva.

"The pain and sadness – especially for Reeva’s parents, family and friends consumes me with sorrow.

"The loss of Reeva and the complete trauma of that day, I will carry with me for the rest of my life."

Ms Steenkamp's parents also issued a statement on Tuesday confirming her mother June will attend the trial. "All we are looking for is closure and to know that our daughter did not suffer on that tragic Valentine's Day," they said.

On Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Pistorius said he reached a settlement with a woman over an alleged assault case from 2009 because his lawyers allegedly advised him he could not fight civil and criminal legal battles simultaneously.

He was arrested and accused of causing an injury to Cassidy Taylor-Memmory, a guest at a party at his house five years ago, after allegedly slamming a door and then punching it.

More than 100 witnesses are expected to appear in court for the trial, including Pistorius' sister, Aimee and former girlfriends Melissa Rom and Samantha Taylor.