Prosecutors have requested an eight-year sentence for the Australian woman accused of fatally assaulting police officer Wayan Sudarsa

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Australian woman Sara Connor has made an emotional address to a Bali court as she stares down the possibility of missing her two sons growing up.



A week after the “shock” of hearing the prosecution’s request to have her jailed for eight years over the death of Bali police officer Wayan Sudarsa, Connor appeared emotional and deflated at Denpasar court on Tuesday. Expecting “the worst”, Connor expressed fears of not being able to see her children grow up.

Bali prosecutors ask for eight-year jail term for Sara Connor and David Taylor Read more

“They miss me and are waiting for me,” she said. “If this is what God had planned for my life – to punish me harshly and deprive my children of their mother – I hope he will give my children strength to cope.”

Just hours after arriving in Bali for a holiday, Connor went down to Kuta Beach with her British boyfriend David Taylor on the night of 16 August.



A fight broke out between Sudarsa and Taylor when the British man confronted the police officer about Connor’s lost bag.



Connor has always said she did nothing but try to separate the pair during the violent struggle and did not know the officer was seriously injured when she and Taylor left the beach in the early hours of 17 August.



Despite Taylor corroborating this account, prosecutors have asked for he and Connor to serve the same eight-year term.



Connor, the prosecution said last week, had not been upfront during the trial, whereas Taylor had shown remorse. While they agree neither should be charged with murder – as the alleged attack lacked intent – they argue the alternative charge of fatal assault in company should apply.

Connor’s lawyer Erwin Siregar accused the prosecution of promoting an “illusion”, adding his client did not cause the death of Sudarsa and that no witness had said otherwise. He described the sentence request by the prosecution as “very dangerous” and “reckless” and said instead that his client should be released on all charges and her good name restored.

Connor said she believed Taylor when he told her his fight with the cop was not serious.



Bali police officer would have taken hours to die, Sara Connor's trial told Read more

“I let David burn the clothes [they wore on the night of Mr Sudarsa’s death] because I was confused and in shock and I apologise for that,” she said.



“How different my life would be now if my bag was never stolen [on Kuta Beach] and the taxi driver had taken me to the police station that night.

“I deeply regret and apologise for any mistake ... I humbly request the court to consider this.”

The prosecution is expected to respond on Thursday.