Oscar Pistorius recalled pulling a gun on three attackers during a street fightReuters
Oscar Pistorius has revealed he pulled out a gun on three men during a fight in the street at his murder trial.
The Olympics and Paralympics athlete recalled the incident which happened in Pretoria only weeks before he shot dead girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine's Day last year.
Pistorius told North Gauteng High Court he was driving home after training when violence erupted at a set of traffic lights.
He said: "A taxi skipped the robots [traffic lights] and pushed a Corrolla onto the pavement and they started chucking bricks at each other.
"I was shocked and didn't know what to do. They smashed the window and started beating the guy with rocks in his head.
"I hooted the horn and pulled up and pointed my firearm at the three people. These people jumped in the taxi and sped off.
"This guy was covered in blood. He was trying to stand up and every time he fell over he was hitting his head. I picked him and dragged him and forced him to sit down. I got a training towel and gave it to the gentleman.
"About 30 people had come up and were helping him," said Pistorius. He added he drove away from the scene when he thought it had been "contained".
Pistorius was speaking at his trial for the first time during questioning by defence lawyer Barry Roux. He was not shown on video cameras inside the court room and only his voice was broadcasted.
The 27-year-old has been depicted as a gun enthusiast during his trial for killing Steenkamp. But he said since the incident his interest in firearms had vanished.
Pistorius recounted the road rage incident during his first day of giving evidence and looked and sounded "exhausted," according to judge Thokozile Masipa.
The athlete said he had not slept at all the night before and also revealed he had been on a cocktail of drugs for depression and sleep deprivation since Steenkamp died.
The runner denies murder and claims he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder inside his luxury home on the outskirts of Pretoria. The prosecution alleges he killed her following an argument between the couple.
The trial continues.
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