Cassie Sainsbury arrived at her latest court hearing cutting a rather different figure, as she attempted to convince a Colombian court that she was the victim of an international drug-smuggling syndicate.
Dressed in a salmon shirt, appearing noticeably thinner and wearing thick, black glasses, Sainsbury arrived in Bogota Special Circuit Court on Saturday for a hearing closed to the media.
Her lawyer said prosecutors agree the man she claims to be behind the illegal operation, known as ‘Angelo’, does exist and is currently in Colombia, but proving his existence still stands between Sainsbury and freedom.
‘The prosecutor is sure that this person is real, is a Colombian person and is in the country at this time,’ Orlando Herran, Sainsbury’s lawyer, told Seven News.
Cassie Sainsbury arrived at her latest hearing cutting a more studious figure as she attempts to convince a court that she was the victim of an international drug-smuggling syndicate
Sainsbury arrives at court in August in escorted by police in handcuffs wearing a jumper
Dressed in a salmon shirt, appearing noticeably thinner and wearing thick glasses, Sainsbury arrived in Bogota Special Circuit Court on Saturday for a hearing closed to the media
The 22-year-old has now spent more than six months behind bars at Bogota Women’s Prison.
The AFP reiterated it was liaising with Colombian authorities on the matter but wouldn’t comment further on operational matters.
Last week the Colombian judge presiding over Sainsbury’s fate is believed to have accepted a plea deal of six years, but good behaviour and time served could see that sentence dramatically reduced.
If the deal is realised, and Sainsbury is granted good behaviour, the 22-year-old could be released in 24 months.
But if time served is considered that will reduce the sentence again by a further six months – giving the South Australian local her freedom by 2019.
‘The prosecutor is sure that this person is real, is a Colombian person and is in the country at this time,’ Orlando Herran, Sainsbury’s lawyer, told Seven News
The 22-year-old has now spent more than six months behind bars at Bogota Women’s Prison
Her family in Adelaide is thrilled by the news, with her sister Khala Sainsbury saying: ‘It couldn’t have gone any better. I believe she’ll be okay, she’s strong.’
The judge hearing the case earlier granted a request from Mr Herran to close the hearing to all media.
Resembling the first plea bargain – rejected after Sainsbury repeatedly changed her story – the six-year deal was presented on Friday in the Bogota Special Circuit Court.
The sentencing hearing will take place on November 1, but a source within the court said the judge has given it his approval.
The 22-year-old is accused of attempting to smuggle almost 6kg of cocaine into Australia and faces up to 30 years behind bars if found guilty of drug trafficking.
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