South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been giving his account of events that led to the shooting and death of his then girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on February 14 last year.

During his second day of testimony in the court in Pretoria for Pistorius he described the moment he shot Steenkamp thinking her to be an intruder.

“I heard a noise from inside the toilet that I perceived to be somebody coming out,” he said, his voice cracking. “Before I knew it I had fired four shots at the door.”

His lawyer Barry Roux had earlier tried to establish the nature of the relationship between Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp.

The athlete said he believed he was more committed to her than she was to him.

The paralympian denies deliberately shooting his girlfriend, claiming he mistook her for an intruder.

On Monday Pistorius made a tearful apology to the family of the victim.

If found guilty the 27-year-old could face a life sentence.

After he gave completed his evidence the court adjourned the trial until Wednesday to allow the athlete time to regain his composure.