A mum who fell pregnant during a prison visit with her jailed partner says she has no regrets about standing by him and insists their relationship is “stronger than ever” – despite him being behind bars.
Sarah Walker has remained devoted to partner Kieran Sendall ever since he was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2021 for Section 18 assault and robbery.
The 34-year-old claims she fell pregnant with daughter Tiana-acea, three, on a prison visit in 2022 while Kieran, 38, was in segregation for bad behaviour.
READ MORE: Real-life The Notebook as husband moves into care home with wife following her dementia diagnosis
Despite criticism from strangers and cruel comments online, Sarah says she has never doubted her decision to support the father of her child – and is proud of how they conceived their little girl.
“The governor facilitated a lounge visit so it was a calm environment for him,” Sarah, from Manchester, told Need To Know.
“It was just me and Kieran.
“The rooms were along a corridor and each one had sofas and a coffee table.
“They had a homely feel to them and there were no cameras.
“We were left for around two hours, [and had sex].
“The staff were unaware of what happened and would have been none the wiser if I didn’t fall pregnant.
“I was so shocked when I found out I was pregnant but felt too lucky and blessed.
“Everything happens for a reason and I believe she [our daughter] was sent to us for a reason, and to get us both through this tough time.
“I told Kieran over the prison phone.”
“He was in shock but couldn’t wait to become her dad.”
The couple first met in 2020 after arranging to go for a film and takeaway together.
Full-time mum Sarah said: “It was more than perfect.
“It felt like a fairy tale.
“I’ve never felt more protected and loved as much as I did by Kieran.
“I was at my happiest when with him and we’re a team.”
Kieran was arrested in 2021 after leaving a man with ‘lasting injuries’ following a violent robbery – reportedly using a hiking stick to hit the victim, in order to obtain a quantity of cannabis from his rucksack.
Kieran pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty of robbery and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Sarah said: “When he was sentenced, I was devastated and felt like our lives had been ripped apart.
“He’s my person is always there for me, no matter what.
“He gets me like nobody else does.”
The mum-of-one said people questioned why she continued the relationship while Kieran was behind bars.
She said: “Of course people weren’t happy that I was sticking by him.
“Some people were in my ear telling me not to be with him and saying I’m ruining my life.
“My family have supported me as their daughter, but not because they agree with the situation.
“But it’s no one’s business who I choose to be in a relationship with.
“I know how good my relationship is, and who is anyone to judge that if they haven’t been in my situation?”
Kieran was unable to attend scans or appointments during the pregnancy, leaving Sarah to face milestones alone.
However, Sarah says he has still tried to be involved; however, he can from prison.
She said: “Doing pregnancy alone was hard doing it alone.
“I attended every single appointment and scan alone and it was tough seeing other couples together, knowing that wasn’t the case for us as he was in prison.
“Kieran was very involved during pregnancy.
“During midwife appointments, he would call so he could be part of the appointments so if there were any issues he could listen and he also felt a little bit more involved in the pregnancy.
“The midwives knew our situation and were very accommodating.
“He would call and I would put the phone to my stomach, he would speak to Tiana-acea and she would kick.
“The hardest part was not having my partner here with me to go through it and go out together to buy and prepare for the baby.
“It was all done alone but I would keep him involved by sending pictures of all the items bought for the baby.”
Their daughter was later born prematurely at 33 weeks and Kieran wasn’t able to meet her until she was seven weeks old because she was in hospital.
Sarah says the stress of raising a baby while Kieran remained in prison only strengthened their bond further.
Their family life is through video calls, phone calls and standard prison visits.
Despite the distance, Sarah says Kieran has formed a special relationship with their daughter.
She said: “He’s an amazing father.
“He does all he can to put her first and he makes so much time for her.
“Kieran will call and do activities with her over the phone, he reads her stories and does bedtime routine over the phone.
“He’s there to support and comfort when she upset via the phone.
“Their bond is amazing.
“Tiana-acea says she is daddy’s princess and she misses him so much.
“On every visit, she runs straight to her daddy and gives him the biggest hug.
“Every time he calls she runs to the phone shouting ‘it’s my daddy’.
“Him being in prison hasn’t affected their bond.”
Sarah says she has endured cruel abuse on social media over the years, with people branding her “embarrassing” and “shameless”.
She said: “People say I’ve got no shame, I’m a scuff, I’m embarrassing and call Tiana-acea a poor child.
“The worst comments are when it’s about our daughter.
“She’s an innocent child.
“I don’t care what people think anymore, it’s my life, not theirs.”
Kieran is currently studying for an Open University business degree and hopes to build a stable future for the family upon release.
The pair plan to marry, start a business together and create the life they feel was put on hold.
Kieran’s current release date is April 2028
Sarah added: “Prison has 100% made our relationship stronger.
“Going through limited visits, phone calls, having a premature baby at 33 weeks and being unable to see him in person for two months was tough with all the worry and stress but it only made us stronger and will never take normal life for granted again.
“We’ve had to build family ties on video call and phone calls which has also made us realise how strong we are and we are a tight team.”
READ MORE: Blokes wrote me off as a bikini model – then I left them for dust in my 1,000HP Supra
