The family of Oscar Pistorius have expressed their concerns over his "self-harming behaviour" after the Paralympic champion was accused of getting involved in a nightclub altercation.

The 27-year-old, who is currently on trial for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, has denied the accusations made by Jahed Mortimer, who claimed that the athlete was aggressive.

Despite rubbishing the reports of a fracas, Pistorius's camp have confirmed that the double amputee did visit a nightclub with his cousin after his murder trial was adjourned until August 7.

Pistorius's uncle Leo is quoted by the Daily Star as saying: "Whilst Oscar venturing out into a public space with his cousin, in the current climate and whilst his court case is still underway, was unwise, those of us closest to him have been witness to his escalating sense of loneliness and alienation.

"This, we believe, is underlying some of his self-harming behaviour. As a family we are counselling Oscar to find ways to deal with his feelings of isolation."

Pistorius denies murder by claiming that he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder when he fired four gunshots through a locked bathroom door at his home in the early hours of Valentine's Day last year.