Handcuffs. A bright orange jumpsuit. A glaring white sign around her neck, with the words ‘Sara Connor’. An expression they’ve never seen before. ‘What is Mum doing?’
Last August, Connor’s sons, aged nine and 11, watched television screens and internet videos and newspaper headlines for pictures of their mother recreating a crime scene on a Bali beach.
The Byron Bay mum and her British boyfriend David Taylor were photographed as they embraced and acted out the series of events that left Balinese police officer Wayan Sudarsa dead a fortnight before. The couple had been searching for Connor’s stolen handbag. There was an altercation and Sudarsa suffered 42 wounds to his body, including his head and neck. He was found face-down on the Kuta beach the following morning.
Today, Connor’s sons are adjusting to a new reality. For the first time since their mum was arrested seven months ago, charged with group assault leading to death, they’ve received something certain: A guilty verdict and a sentence of four years behind bars in a Balinese prison.
Connor’s already served seven months. She will be released in three years and five months if she doesn’t choose to appeal.
Three years and five months is a long time for kids aged nine and 11.
By the time their mother is out, both boys will be in high school. Their personalities will be a little more grown-up, maybe more guarded, certainly more complex.
They’ll have different posters on their bedroom walls. They’ll be listening to different music. One might be pestering his dad to let him grow his hair long, the other might be starting his first part-time job.
The two boys have’t been to visit their mum since she’s been in prison. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to see your mother behind bars,” Connor told Fairfax back in January. That was when she still thought a not-guilty verdict was possible.
Top Comments
The boyfriend looks like a right derro.
She is damn lucky she only got four years!