Cassandra Sainsbury knew nothing about family members selling story to Australian media

CASSIE Sainsbury has blasted her family members for doing an “eye-watering” deal with 60 Minutes about her ordeal behind her back.

CASSANDRA Sainsbury had no idea her family signed a controversial deal with 60 Minutes to tell the inside story of her Colombian hell.

Speaking exclusively to News Corp Australia from the Bogota prison where she is being detained, the South Australian woman said she was shocked to learn about the deal and they should have asked her permission first.

“My mum and sister haven’t told me anything of what they’re doing,” she said.

“They’re just going out and doing it on their own. That’s my problem.”

“It’s my story. They need to get permission from me to sell my story.”

READ THE FULL STORY: Cassie Sainsbury speaks for the first time

The former personal trainer, 22, also said she had not seen her mother, Lisa Evans and sister, Khala, since they arrived and wanted to speak to her fiance, Scott Broadbridge first.

Broadbridge has reportedly signed his own deal for an undisclosed figure with Seven’s Sunday Night.

Cassandra Sainsbury's mother Lisa Evans and sister Khala Sainsbury arrive at El Dorado international airport in Bogota, Colombia with the 60 Minutes crew after signing a deal for her story. Picture: Nathan Edwards

Scott Broadbridge has sold his own version of events to the rival Seven network. Picture: Pic Nathan Edwards

Cassandra Sainsbury’s mug shot from Bogota where she is awaiting her fate. Picture: 7 News

Cassie Sainsbury said this picture must have been smuggled out of jail and has created chaos for her inside. Picture: Nathan Edwards

The comments come after Sainsbury’s mother and sister touched down in Bogota accompanied by a film crew from the Nine Network. They had reportedly requested $1 million for their version of events and while the final figure remains secret, it’s said to be “eyewatering”.

It’s believed the family won’t be able to visit Sainsbury until the weekend.

Sainsbury has been held inside El Buen Pastor women’s prison for the past month awaiting trial after she was found with 5.8kg of cocaine inside 18 headphone boxes in her suitcase at Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport. She claims she was not aware of the contents of her luggage.

Earlier, news.com.au reported conditions were rough in the jail where violence, drugs and rape are common.

Cassie Sainsbury's mum, Lisa Evans, and sister, Khala, at the El Buen Pastor prison in Bogota

Andrea Paolo Daza Quintero, who has been inside the prison many times to visit her mother said drug-taking and beating was rife.

“You find rapes; the women rape other women. Violation, between women,” she told news.com.au via a translator outside the prison while she was waiting for access.

“If you like somebody, if one girl falls in love with another, she will look for a way to rape you.”

A handout photo made available by the press office of the Colombian anti-narcotics police shows the young woman with her luggage. Picture: Colombian police.

Sainsbury also told News Corp Australia there was a “lot of chaos” in the prison and she felt targeted for being foreign, attracting media attention and not speaking the language.

“There’s a lot of chaos here ... quite a few of the inmates here are very pushy with me. They push past me. They start abusing me in Spanish because they know I don’t understand it and I haven’t actually done anything wrong,” she said.

She refused to discuss details of her case while it is before the courts and blasted her lawyer, Orlando Herran for speaking to media.

“He’s been talking to the media about my case which isn’t okay,” she said.

“Once I’ve been sentenced, sure I’m happy to talk about what happened, because my case isn’t in jeopardy then,” she said.

“What’s happened has happened. If I’m guilty or innocent, nothing is at risk.”

An official who met with Sainsbury in jail said the young woman was lacking in her connections and felt isolated, having only been visited by her lawyer and consular officials.

“Essentials like a decent plate and spoon, a nice blanket, a radio and TV that make you feel at home, she doesn’t have them,” the official said.

“A radio is your connection with the outside world, a good spoon and plate make you feel clean and help with everyday life and she doesn’t have them, because nobody has brought them to her.”