Pistorius weeps over murder charge

South African runner Oscar Pistorius, head in his hands, in court.

He'd just been charged with murder -- for shooting dead his girlfriend in his Pretoria home.

The 26-year-old Olympic and Paralympic superstar sobbed after the charge was read out.

Prosecutors told the court they would argue the shooting of 30-year old model Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours of February 14 was pre-meditated.

Pistorius' brother and father sat behind him in the packed courtroom for the 40-minute hearing, occasionally patting him on the shoulder.

Earlier, the double amputee - who became one of the biggest names in world atheltics - was seen leaving a local police station with his head covered, flanked by police.

Steenkamp, a law graduate, was found shot dead in Pistorius' plush Pretoria home in the middle of a heavily guarded gated complex.

A statement from Pistorius' agent, issued after the hearing, disputed the allegation of murder in the "strongest terms".

The case, which has stunned South Africa, continues.