Two Sydney sisters have told of hearing a couple being attacked on a Kuta beach but said they were scared of reporting it at the time because they were fearful of being detained in Bali.
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However Kim Watson and Coleen Bowen said they felt it was their duty to return to Bali to testify in Byron Bay woman Sara Connor's murder trial after hearing she had been accused of being involved in the death of a Bali policeman.
"We were shocked because it did seem the opposite way - like they were in a lot of trouble and fighting for their lives," Ms Watson said outside the Denpasar District Court.
"We only heard, we didn't see anything but it seemed like they were fighting for their lives."
Ms Connor, 46, and her British DJ boyfriend David Taylor, are on trial over the death of Bali police officer Wayan Sudarsa who was found dead on Kuta beach with 42 wounds on August 17 last year.
The couple, who are being tried separately, face charges of murder, fatal group assault or assault leading to death, which carry a maximum sentence of 15 years' jail.
The sisters testified in court they were staying at the Pullman Hotel in Legian when they woke about 1.30am on August 17 to the sound of a fight.
"It sounded like someone being attacked - a man and a woman," Ms Watson said.
"I heard screaming very loudly. She screamed: 'Leave him alone and get off me'. I heard a man (scream) 'Get off her, you f---ing c---."
It was dark and Ms Watson looked out of the window but couldn't see anything.
She then went back to sleep but later learned of Mr Sudarsa's alleged murder.
Asked outside court why they didn't report what they had heard at the time, the women said they had been scared.
"We were in shock. We were scared, we were fearful of being detained in Bali as well,' Ms Bowen said.
"We had families and jobs at home. We asked a few people and they said report it when you get home so that's what we decided to do," Ms Watson added.
Ms Bowen said an Australian Federal Police officer had taken a statement from her and asked if Ms Watson would also be willing to speak.
He told her he would speak to his superior and then get back to her: "And we never heard back from them."
Asked by Ms Connor's lawyer, Erwin Siregar, why the women had flown from Australia when they didn't know Ms Connor, Ms Bowen replied outside court: "Because we felt it was our duty to say what we heard."
Ms Watson added: "And to think if someone is innocent and we were witness to hearing what happened and if we didn't come and we didn't try and help and say what we heard and tell the truth…."
She said that based on the character witnesses, Ms Connor sounded like a wonderful person and mother.
Nomad World Hotels marketing manager Peggy O'Neill, told the court Ms Connor could return any time to the Byron Bay backpackers hostel, Art Factory Lodge, where she used to work as the housekeeping manager.
Ms Connor, who appeared gaunt, wiped away tears as her former boss described how the single mother would sometimes take her two young sons to work during school holidays.
"But she never neglected her work," Ms O'Neill said. "She is now on unpaid leave. She can come back to us at any time."
Outside court she said: "We just want to see Sara come through this and get her home and back to work and most importantly get her back to her boys. She is a very good worker, very good mother and a beautiful person."
Mary Lockton, who shared a flat with Ms Connor in London, told the court there was no doubt in her mind that Ms Connor was incapable of murder.
"She never hit anyone," Ms Lockton said. "At the time we thought there must be a mistake. I am very proud to be her friend."
Judges are expected to hand down their verdict and sentence on March 14.
