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

James Comey Exposes DOJ’s Double Standard: Contradictory Moves to Bury Jack Smith’s Trump Report While Addressing Pam Bondi Controversy

Main: Attorney General Pam Bondi appears before a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight…

Families File Lawsuit Against Fertility Doctor for Allegedly Concealing and Withholding Embryos

Background: The Acacio Fertility Center in Bakersfield, Calif. (Google Maps). Inset: Dr.…

Tragic Discovery: Mother of Seven Found Fatally Shot on Neighbor’s Doorstep, Husband Discovers Scene as Police Arrive

Inset: Maria Lewis (GoFundMe). Background: The Arizona home where Maria Lewis was…

Judge Slams DeSantis: Executive Order Deemed ‘Unconstitutional Coercion’ and ‘Bullying Tactics

Left inset: Judge Mark Walker testifies before Senate Judiciary Committee in 2012…

Disturbing Threats Against Trump: Man’s Violent Messages to Don Jr. Revealed by Feds

Left: Donald Trump speaks at the annual Road to Majority conference in…

Shocking Court Revelation: Teen Recruited in Chilling Daycare Murder Scheme by Alleged Gang

A promising young rugby player’s dreams of turning professional have been shattered,…

LA County Detectives Launch Investigation to Identify Suspect in Homicide of 40-Year-Old Woman

Detectives in Los Angeles County are reaching out to the community for…

Traffic Stop Uncovers Two Kilos of Cocaine: Shocking Arrest Details Revealed!

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a recent operation, law enforcement officials…

Gruesome Discovery: Man Accused of Dismembering Close Friend and Abandoning Body in Desert

Inset left: Samuel Stephen Bush (Maricopa County Sheriff”s Office). Inset right: Alijah…

Former Employee Confronts Colleague at Home, Tragically Shoots Wife at Doorstep

Share A Colorado man will spend a substantial portion of his life…

Teenager Faces Charges for Allegedly Recording Arson Incident Tied to Ex-NRL Athlete

A sixth person has been charged for their alleged involvement in the…

Mother Takes Justice into Her Own Hands: Courtroom Shooting of Daughter’s Killer Shocks Nation

Just a year ago, the quiet life of Marianne Bachmeier was shattered…