Oscar Pistorius has started giving evidence in his murder trial in South Africa.
He apologised to the family of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, who he killed, saying he wanted to protect her.
The defence opened its case earlier today, calling a pathologist in an effort to cast doubt on the prosecution's assertion that Ms Steenkamp ate no more than two hours before the double-amputee runner killed her.
The evidence from Professor Jan Botha is critical to the defence because Pistorius has claimed the couple were in his bedroom by 10pm on February 13 2013, and any indication that they were awake much later could undermine the Olympian's account of the sequence of events.
Pistorius fatally shot Ms Steenkamp after 3am the next morning, saying he mistook her for an intruder in his home. The prosecution has argued that he intentionally killed her after an argument.
Prof Botha told the High Court in Pretoria that the timeframe of digestion was difficult to assess because of variations in many factors, including the volume of food consumed, its calorie content and the psychology of the person who was eating.
The evidence countered statements by a pathologist called by the prosecution who said that, judging by the contents of her stomach, Ms Steenkamp probably last ate no more than two hours before her death.
Prof Botha's evidence followed four weeks of prosecution-led testimony and a week's adjournment after one of the judge's aides fell ill.
He was allowed to enter the witness box first, ahead of Pistorius, in an agreement with prosecutors because of a family illness. Defendants who choose to testify normally go first in South Africa.
Pistorius is giving evidence to explain his version that he killed Ms Steenkamp by mistake on Valentine's Day last year. He is charged with premeditated murder over the night-time killing and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
Defence lawyer Barry Roux said he would call between 14 and 17 witnesses. (independent)
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