How pregnant British teen went from Thai holiday to jail in Georgia
Share this @internewscast.com

Bella May Culley, a teenager from Britain who faced drug smuggling charges in Georgia, has been released from prison following a plea agreement.

The 19-year-old, who is expecting a child, was detained in May at Tbilisi Airport. She was accused of attempting to smuggle 12 kilograms of marijuana and two kilograms of hashish into Georgia.

A Georgian court found Culley guilty on Monday, sentencing her to five months and 25 days—the duration she had already been in custody. Her release was also contingent upon her family paying a fine of 500,000 lari, roughly equivalent to $282,000, as part of the plea deal.

Bella May Culley, front right, speaks to journalists after she was released from prison near the court building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, November 3, 2025, as her mother Lyanne Kennedy, stands on the left. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)

Both Culley and her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, were visibly emotional as they embraced after the verdict was delivered.

Initially, Georgian prosecutors had considered a two-year sentence. However, prosecutor Vakhtang Tsalughelashvili informed The Associated Press that they opted to account for the time she had already served.

“We examined the case thoroughly, considering the defendant’s confession, her age, and her condition, which led to an agreement between the involved parties,” Tsalughelashvili explained.

The teenager was informed of the decision shortly before the court session began. Her mother told the AP she had believed that she would only see her daughter in person again when her grandchild was born.

“It was totally unexpected,” she said.

She also joked to Culley that she might name her unborn baby in honour of her lawyer, Malkhaz Salakhaia.

Bella May Culley, speaks to journalists after she was released from prison near the court building in Tbilisi. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)

Salakhaia confirmed that Culley would be given her passport and would be free to leave the country.

The lawyer also said she believed that the court “made the decision they had to make” based on the circumstances of the case.

“Bella was sincere throughout the investigation,” Salakhaia said.

Culley initially faced a maximum penalty of up to 15 years or life in prison.

In Georgia, a nation of 3.7 million in the South Caucasus, the law allows for financial plea agreements that can be reached to reduce or eliminate a prison sentence in certain cases. Such plea agreements are often reached in drug-related cases.

Culley, who is from Teesside, in north-east England, was reported missing in Thailand prior to her arrest at the Tbilisi airport on May 10.

Bella May Culley, centre, walks with her lawyer Malkhaz Salakaia, left, and her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, after she was released from prison. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)

The teenager pleaded not guilty to the charges after her arrest, saying she was tortured in Thailand and forced to carry the drugs.

Salakhaia has told reporters that she showed visible physical signs of torture upon her arrival in Georgia.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Shocking Lawsuit Alleges Human Finger Found in Trader Joe’s Orange Juice

The Trader Joe’s in Portland, Ore., where Julee O’Neil says she purchased…

Father Involved in Shooting Incident at School Pickup

Left inset: Noureddine Dib (KGW). Right inset: Michael Zakarneh (GoFundMe). Background: Surveillance…

Shocking Home Invasion: Kidnapping Uncovered by Disturbing Blood Trail

Two men have been seriously injured in a terrifying home invasion and…

Police Report Game Night Gathering Turns Fatal in Unexpected Tragedy

Background: News footage of the scene in Las Vegas, Nev., where Victor…

Motorcyclist Involved in Accident with 7-Year-Old Daughter on Board, Authorities Report

Dallas Coburn holds his daughter after his motorcycle crashed (KDKA/YouTube). A man…

Trump Administration Faces Allegations of FOIA Violations in Controversial Palantir Document Case

President Donald Trump gestures while speaking with reporters in the James Brady…

Shocking Social Security Fraud: Man Conceals Partner’s Corpse for Years to Cash In

Inset left James Agnew (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office). Inset right James O’Neill…

Unattended Bag Sparks Travel Chaos: Major Airport Faces Security Scare and Delays

The discovery of an unattended bag forced parts of Perth Airport to…

Tragic Drunk Driving Incident on Golf Cart: Man Learns His Fate After Wife’s Fatal Fall

Background: The neighborhood where Christina Theodosiou died after falling from a golf…

Suspect in Labor Figure’s Murder Admits to Additional Assault Charge

A man facing charges in connection with the death of Labor figure…

Shocking Incident: Gainesville Man Arrested After Threatening Tree Service Worker with Firearm

In Gainesville, Florida, a troubling incident from 2024 has resurfaced with the…

Father Charged After Disturbing Threat Against Infant Sparks Concern

Inset: Marcellaus N. Malone (Clermont County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The Clermont County…