Major update as pregnant British teen is sentenced after being accused of smuggling 14kg of drugs
Rhianna Benson
Featured Image Credit: Facebook
Georgia court officials have shared an update in the disturbing case of 19-year-old 'drug mule' Bella May Culley.
The British teen, who is also 25 weeks pregnant with her first child, was arrested at Tbilisi International Airport earlier this year after landing in the capital from Thailand, where she'd 'vanished' for several weeks.
Upon her apprehension, police allegedly discovered around 14kg of cannabis and hashish inside her travel bag.
In the days that followed, Culley pleaded not guilty to several charges, including both possession and trafficking of illegal drugs, claiming she'd previously sought help from a Thai customs officer, but that they didn't assist her.
Advert
The teenager's remarks were rebuked by authorities in Asia, who cited CCTV footage showing her passing through airport checks calmly and without speaking specifically to any officers.
As such, Culley was immediately charged with the importation of vast quantities of narcotics. As we say, however, officials at a court in the capital have today announced an update in Culley's case.
According to court documents, the mum-to-be has since changed her plea, agreeing to a deal with Georgian prosecutors.
Culley, who has already served five months, appeared at Tbilisi City Court on Tuesday (28 Oct) wearing a grey sleeveless cardigan and a pink t-shirt.
As a result of her latest decision, whilst joined in court by mother, Lyanne Kennedy, 44, and father Niel Culley, 49, the teen was informed she'd be sentenced to two years behind bars. This is considered a much more lenient punishment compared to the original threat of life imprisonment.
Her parents - a charity worker and an oil rig technician - previously coughed up a staggering 500,000 Georgian Lari (£138,000), which they paid directly to the court in a bid to save their daughter from spending the rest of her life incarcerated.
Culley's lawyer previously said that the size of the fine paid by her mother and father would have an impact on the severity of her sentence.
Asked about the negotiations with prosecutors, Kennedy claimed she'd been advised to pay a much higher amount than they already had - 800,000 Georgian Lari (£220,000) specifically - but thankfully, their payment was enough to see Culley's sentence greatly reduced.
"It was a lot more!" she explained. "They did budge [on the amount], but we still couldn't raise that amount."
Of the latest ruling, Culley's lawyer, Malkhaz Salakaia, said: "I can confirm. All relevant parties have also been informed. We would like to ask the judge to schedule one final hearing to pass the final verdict."
Salakaia added that he'd requested that the teenager be released on bail ahead of the formal sentencing hearing, which will take place at Tbilisi City Court next Monday (3 Nov).
"She pleaded guilty, fully co-operated with the investigation and the plea bargain has just been reached," he continued.
"So we'd like to ask the judge to release her on bail, given her advanced pregnancy."
Judge Giorgi Gelashvili denied this motion; however, he argued that there are no legal grounds to see Culley's conditions improved.
The expectant mother was also said to have asked during court proceedings: "Will I be able to take the baby with me if I go back to jail?"
To which Gelashvili reportedly replied: "Nobody is going to take the baby away from you."