Sara Connor says she’s lost hope of seeing her children grow up after Indonesian prosecutors have recommended an eight-year jail sentence for the death of a Kuta police officer.
“No, I’m not feeling optimistic at all. I am expecting the worst today,” Ms Connor told assembled reporters outside Denpasar District Court. “I’ve lost all the hopes to see my children growing up.”
Prosecutors have submitted that she is jointly culpable for Kuta policeman Wayan Sudarsa and should receive the same eight-year jail sentence as her British boyfriend, David James Taylor.
The 46-year-old mother has not seen her two boys, aged nine and 11, since before she was arrested on August 17.
Ms Connor broke down as she read her statement in court, emphasising that she is the “sole carer” of her two young sons and that she loves her children “more than anything”, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
“If this is what God has planned for my life, to punish me so harshly and deprive my children of their mother, I hope he will give my children the strength to cope.”
Ms Connor and her 34-year-old partner face three charges – murder, group violence causing death and assault causing death.
The sentencing request has been a shock to the mum as her lawyer had previously said he expected her to be freed.
Mr Taylor admitted to bashing the officer with his own binoculars, a Bintang beer bottle, a mobile phone and his bare fists after blaming Mr Sudarsa for stealing Ms Connor’s handbag.
Both Ms Connor and Mr Taylor testified her sole role in the attack was to separate the two men as they fought on the sand.
Ms Connor told the court she tried to go to the police station after the fight but the ojek (motorcycle taxi) had refused to take her because she had no money.
“How different my life would have been now if my bag was never stolen and the taxi driver had taken me to the police station that night,” Ms Connor mused. “I had good intentions.”
