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

Verdict Announced for Man in Tragic Attack on Ex’s Parents

Inset: Ruth Sue Ann Robison (Polk County Sheriff”s Office). Background: Hamza Smajlovic…

Judge Challenges DOJ’s Authority to Reindict Former FBI Director James Comey: Legal Implications Unfold

Left: NEW YORK, NY – August 03: New York Attorney General Letitia…

Breaking: Missing ‘Slender Man’ Stabber Discovered Sleeping Rough with Older Partner

A woman from Wisconsin disappeared from her group home on Saturday after…

Florida Attorney Allegedly Assaults 67-Year-Old Aboard Cruise Ship, Reports Sheriff

Background: The Norwegian Oncore (YouTube/Talking Cruise). Inset: Phillip Andrew Ortiz (Miami-Dade County…

Tragic Vegas Traffic Light Incident: Driver’s Intentional 12-Car Pileup Claims Lives of Pregnant Girlfriend and One Other

In a recent court session, prosecutors revealed that an 18-year-old behind the…

Lawsuit Alleges Doctors Mistook Rare Genetic Disorder for Child Abuse, Highlighting Diagnostic Challenges

Grant and Myranda Phillips discuss their lawsuit against Indiana”s Department of Child…

O.J. Simpson’s Legal Nightmare: $58 Million Judgment Sparks Controversy

Over three decades after O.J. Simpson was held liable in a civil…

Meet the Most Unusual Inmate of the Infamous Island Prison

On November 25, 1959, a notorious inmate of the infamous Alcatraz Island…

Police Report: Woman Allegedly Attacks Boyfriend with Machete Following Dispute

Background: The Texas Roadhouse location in Miami, Fla. (Google Maps). Inset: Liz…

Man Sentenced for Threatening President Biden and VP Harris: Justice Served in High-Profile Case

Left: US President Joe Biden speaks at Florida Memorial University on Nov.…

Ex-Fire Chief and Spouse Accused of Misconduct Involving Teen Boy

Authorities have issued arrest warrants for a former fire chief from Pennsylvania…

Justice Thomas Calls for Overhaul of Judicial Precedent Doctrine in Landmark Statement

Clarence Thomas during a 2018 legal discussion (YouTube/Library of Congress). On Monday,…