Murder suspect Oscar Pistorius was granted bail today despite a magistrate revealing he had "difficulty" with his story.
The Paralympic 'Blade Runner' was said to be "relieved" as he was allowed to walk free from court after a four-day bail hearing which has gripped the world.
But the global superstar was given tough bail conditions by the magistrate while he waits to stand trial within the next year - including a ban on booze.
The court warned the 26-year-old - who is charged with premeditated murder - he would also not be able to visit any airport departure halls or leave Pretoria and must report to a police station twice a week.
He will have to surrender all his passports, firearms, see a probation officer and cough up a £73,000 bond, of which he had to pay £7,000 immediately.
The news of his release was greeted with a booming male voice shouting "yes" from the public gallery and the accused athlete dropped his head and gently sobbed in the dock.
Dad, Henke, 59, fell forward and touched his son's back for only the second time in the four-day hearing.
Earlier he had yawned several times during the marathon two-hour court ruling.
There were smiles of relief on the faces of his supporters and his family gathered around each other in a circle to pray.
Later after the money was handed over by his father in the basement of Pretoria magistrates court, Pistorius was driven away from in a silver Landrover Discovery.
He was sat next to his sister Aimee clutching an iPad and looking straight ahead. He appeared to have a scratch to the front of his left ear.
Earlier he sat silent listening to a tense two-hour ruling by chief magistrate Desmond Nair and cried when it appeared not to be going way.
"It is practically impossible for the state to have all the pieces of the puzzle in a week," the magistrate said.
As he made his marathon ruling in a sweltering and packed courtroom, the magistrate spoke of his problems with the defence.
Chief magistrate Desmond Nair, said: "I have difficulty in appreciating the accused did not ascertain the whereabout of his girlfriend when he got off the bed.
"I have difficulty with the accused not seeking to verify who was in the toilet when he could have asked.
"Why did the deceased not scream back from the toilet? Why would the accused and deceased not escape through the bedroom door?
"Also why then, would he charge into a very dangerous area if he wanted to protect himself and the deceased?
Mr Nair, who previously described his task as "unenviable" said there was no suggestion that Pistorius was a flight risk or would want to "duck and dive" and not stand his trial.
He said Pistorius had "reached out" in his affidavit describing what had happened, and - pausing before he delivered his final decision to the packed courtroom - said: "I come to the conclusion that the accused has made a case to be released on bail."
After the decision went their way, his stressed defence team looked relieved moments before the magistrate officially announced his ruling.
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel seemed to have admitted defeat early and text Mr Roux their conditions.
When asked about this interaction by the Daily Mirror, defence lawyer Barry Roux, laughed and said: "You weren't supposed to see that.
"We were talking about possible conditions."
Asked about the stressful ruling, the lawyer admitted it had been a "bit hairy" as they waited.
He smiled and quipped: "Do I have a headache? Of course I was tense."
Asked if he was happy, he added: "I'm always happy when something good happens. I think it is a fair decision to grant bail.
"It was a bit hairy but it will be fine."
Asked where his client was staying he said his client did not want to return to the house where Reeva died, explaining: "We don't know yet but he doesn't want to go back there."
One lawyer added: "We believe in our client's case."
While his colleague said immediately after the ruling: "Jeez that was tense. the palms of my hands were sweating throughout."
Carl went to see his brother in the holding cell after the announcement and told reporters after: "He's relieved, I'm relieved but it's a long road ahead."
Speaking on behalf of Pistorius's family, his delighted uncle Arnold told reporters after the hearing: "We are relieved of the fact that Oscar got bail today.
"But at the same time we are in mourning for the death of Reeva with her family.
"We are also grateful for the magistrate for coming to the conclusion and for our legal team that has delivered extremely professional and legal statements that led to the decision of giving bail today.
"As the family, we know Oscar's version of what happened that tragic night and we know that that is the truth and that will prevail in the coming court case."
But Kim Myers, a friend of Ms Steenkamp, who had been in the public gallery said: "This is a bail application, not a trial, and we hope and pray that justice will prevail.
"It's still a very sad time for us and we need to remember that somebody did lose their life, and our hearts, thoughts and prayers just go out to the Steenkamp family.
"We're still very sad. She was an amazing person."
Kenny Kunene, a friend of the athlete whose pal screamed 'yes' after the ruling, said that Pistorius had not been given any special treatment, and said the case had taken a toll on Pistorius and his family.
"It has obviously taken a serious toll because they stopped doing everything and they focused on this particular bail application, they have been here every day," he said.
"It was a great day for Oscar and for everybody that loves him."
But the Women's League of South Africa's ruling ANC party said it was disappointed he was granted bail.
"For now we will abide by the rules of law in this country but honestly we are saddened because women are being killed in this country." said ANC Women's league spokeswoman Jacqui Mofokeng."
In his affidavit, Pistorius described waking up in the early hours of Valentine's Day and going on to his balcony to bring in a fan and close the sliding doors.
He said he heard a noise in the bathroom and was overcome by a "rush of terror", thinking someone had broken in.
He fired four shots at the toilet door, shouting to Ms Steenkamp to call the police and, when she did not reply, realised she was in the bathroom.
The prosecution said Ms Steenkamp locked herself in the bathroom either to escape an argument or to escape the gun.
During the hearing, the prosecution claimed there was a risk of the athlete fleeing if the court released him on bail, and prosecutor Gerrie Nel said he had the "money, means and motive" to do so.
He said Pistorius's version of events was "improbable", compared with the state's case which was based on "objective facts".
But the Paralympian's defence claimed he is so famous he will not be able to flee, and any effort to escape justice would be difficult as his prosthetic legs cannot go unnoticed through airport security, need maintenance and adjustment on a monthly basis, while his own legs need regular medical treatment.
Pistorius's coach, Ampie Louw, who described the athlete as "heartbroken" over the death of his girlfriend, said earlier that, if he was given bail, he could resume training next week.
The case was adjourned until June 4th.
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