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

Man Attempts to Retract Guilty Plea in Jared Bridegan Case, Claims False Testimony Implicates Ex-Wife

In a dramatic turn of events, Henry Tenon, the alleged gunman implicated…

Brutal Attack: Neighbor Fatally Stabbed 61 Times, Discovered by Her Father

Inset: Dana J. Shepherd (IMPD). Background: The area in Indianapolis where Shepherd…

Tragic Oversight: Father Faces Charges After 7-Month-Old Drowns During Distracted Phone Call

Inset: Angel Marcus Rodriguez (East Haven Police Department). Background: The residence where…

Man Arrested After Strangling Ex-Girlfriend Following Humiliating Corn Maze Incident

Left inset: Noel Ledesma (Monterey County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: Yvette Martinez…

Recently Terminated Employee Allegedly Strikes Co-worker with Audi in Nearby Parking Lot, Police Report

Inset: Lenard Hale (Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The Dollar General in…

Mother and Partner Arrested Following Domestic Disturbance Call Revealing Critically Injured Infant

In Virginia, authorities detained a woman and her partner following a domestic…

Wisconsin Woman Discovered Deceased in Michigan; Boyfriend Apprehended in Minnesota

Authorities in Wisconsin have reported the tragic discovery of a missing woman,…

Tragic Incident: Man Accused of Killing Infant During Walk and Attempting to Conceal Body, Police Report

John Hannon (San Juan County Adult Detention Center). In a chilling incident…

How an Undercover Airport Network Fueled a $40 Million Drug Empire

An organised crime figure has been jailed for using two airport insiders…

Cold Case Breakthrough: Arrest Made in Decades-Old Tragedy of 5-Year-Old Found Wrapped in Wallpaper

On Wednesday, federal authorities apprehended a man believed to be responsible for…

FBI Enhances Reward for Nancy Guthrie Case, Unveils New Suspect Details

In the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of…

Woman Sentenced to Prison for Threatening to Target White House and Assassinate Trump

President Donald Trump attends the 157th National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington…