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

Husband Takes Drastic Action After Discovering Wife’s Secret Affair and Pregnancy

Inset: Erin Thomas (Lanford-Gwinn Mortuary). Background: Stephen “Andrew” White is sentenced to…

Fourth Suspect Charged in Connection to Sydney Grandfather’s Alleged Kidnapping and Murder

A fourth man has been charged over the alleged kidnapping and murder…

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

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

Father Attributes Child’s Fatal Injuries to Car Seat Accident, Authorities Report

Inset: Gabrielle E. Ayers (Jefferson County Jail). Background: The Arkansas home where…

Inside Britney Spears’ Rehab Journey: A Closer Look at Her Path to Recovery

In a turn of events that has captured public attention, pop icon…

Deadly ‘Quick Draw’ Game Ends Tragically: Man Killed by Friend, Police Report

Samuel Rolando Colon (Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office). Background: Authorities responding to…

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 Workplace Incident: Family Claims Bullying Led to Fatal Co-Worker Altercation

Inset left: Gregory Lewis (Tarrant County Jail). Inset right: Thomas King (GoFundMe).…

Exploring ‘Kitty Flipping’: The Rising Recreational Drug Trend in Australian Cities

The term ‘kitty flipping’ might initially evoke images of playful cats or…

Teenager Arrested and Charged in Widower’s Kidnapping and Murder Case

The investigation into the tragic case of Chris Baghsarian’s alleged mistaken-identity kidnapping…

Mother Sends Father Disturbing Photo of Son Under Car with Instructions to ‘Run Him Over,’ Police Report

April Alexander (Adams County Sheriff’s Office). A Mississippi woman is now charged…

Shocking Incident: Woman Opens Fire During Ladies’ Night Out, Police Report Reveals

Background: News footage of the Dr. Limon restaurant in Homestead, Fla. (WPLG).…