David Taylor tells of 'deepest sadness' in final emotional plea to Bali court
David Taylor in his jail cell before his final appeal to a Bali court. (AAP)
British man David Taylor said he was filled with the "deepest sadness" over the death of a Bali police officer, as his lawyers begged an Indonesian court not to hand down a "harsh" sentence.
Taylor and his Australian girlfriend Sara Connor are on trial over the alleged fatal assault of Wayan Sudarsa whose bloodied body was discovered on Kuta Beach in the early hours of August 17.
In his final plea to Denpasar Court on Wednesday, the 34-year-old appeared calm as he again apologised to Mr Sudarsa's family.
"It fills me with the deepest sadness I have ever felt to be a part of the loss of a human life.
"It has never ever been my intention to cause harm to anybody. I was unfortunate enough to find myself in a terrible situation where eventually I was forced to protect my own life."
Taylor, the court has heard, became embroiled in a fight with Mr Sudarsa after confronting the police officer about the loss of Connor's purse on Kuta Beach.
During the melee, Taylor says he feared for his life when Mr Sudarsa put pressure on his neck and admitted to hitting the officer with binoculars and a beer bottle.
Taylor has previously told the court Mr Sudarsa was "passed out" but still breathing when he left him lying in the sand.
The doctor who performed the autopsy on the cop says he had more than 40 wounds and it would have taken him more than two hours to die from his head injury.
Prosecutors have called on Taylor and Connor to be jailed for eight years for fatal assault in company.
Connor's lawyers have called on her to be released, saying she did nothing but try to separate the pair.
On Wednesday, Taylor's legal team said he did not shy away for causing Mr Sudarsa's death, but said it was only done in self-defence.
Describing Taylor as "peace-loving" and "stable," his lawyer Haposan Sihombing said "he is still very young and has the chance to improve himself".
"We beg for the lightest punishment possible."
Taylor is set to be sentenced on March 13.
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