Latest news with #Bella
The Irish Sun
a minute ago
- The Irish Sun
Pregnant Brit ‘drug mule' Bella Culley facing 15 years in jail despite plea she was forced to smuggle £200k of cannabis
TEENAGE drug mule suspect Bella Culley faces 15 years in jail despite her plea that she was forced to peddle drugs from Thailand, prosecutors revealed today. Bella, 19, was caught in the former Soviet state of Georgia in May with 6 A Georgian prosecutor told The Sun that they have evidence the Brit 'acted with prior intent' 6 Bella Culley seen in court at the beginning of July as her devastated family watched on Credit: Supplied 6 6 She is But, speaking for the first time, Georgian prosecutor Vakhtang Tsaluqelashvili revealed that he plans to contest the pregnant teenager's claims. And he added that the state has found evidence which Mr Tsaluqelashvili told The Sun: 'We have evidence confirming that the defendant acted with prior intent. read more on the case 'She passed through several airports , and at no stage did she display any such, let's say, position or behaviour that would make us think this was not an intentional crime. 'Among other things, at the moment of her arrest, she did not say anything of this kind to the Georgian customs officers either. 'Given the gravity of the offence committed, the minimum expected sentence is 15 years - even taking into account the mitigating circumstances.' Bella got pregnant after a fling with an unidentified British man on the first leg of her Most read in The Sun The naive youngster from Billingham, Teesside, said she was forced to board a plane and never saw the baggage containing 31lbs of cannabis and hashish until she was arrested. She also claimed she had no idea where New CCTV of Brit 'mule' Bella May Culley 'smuggling £200k of cannabis' released as cops slam her claims she was coerced But Mr Tsaluqelashvil said a plea bargain deal between the prosecution and defence was still possible - but may still result in jail time or a suspended sentence plus a fine. Her lawyer Malkhaz Salakaia said that a plea bargain for his client to return to Britain was "quite likely" adding the "opportunity has been mentioned several times". Mr Salakaia told Tbilisi City Court yesterday: 'Bella has an obvious health condition - she is soon to be a mother to a baby boy and I want her to experience it while free. 'It's a pivotal moment in one's life, especially one so young. She is only 19.' Mr Salakaia added: 'There was no malicious intent on Bella's part - she was pressured and forced and there is irrefutable evidence of that. 6 She was caught at Tblisi International Airport with 30 pounds of marijuana and hashish in her luggage on May 10 Credit: Prime Time 6 Bella's mum Lyanne Kennedy (centre) leaving court in Tbilisi on Thursday "Her testimony contains even the names and last names of the individuals who forced her to transport it, she was threatened, as well as her family, including her mother who is present today. 'I want to underline that she didn't hand in the baggage - all she knows is that there is this luggage and she will be met by certain individuals once she arrives. 'The bag wasn't even locked, and it went through three countries and two continents, while Bella to this day is unaware whether Tbilisi is a country or a city. 'Bella didn't commit this crime and there is no grounds to doubt her testimony. I hope you are convinced your honor and knowing your past practice. 'I am sure she won't be found guilty." Bella - who has been supported at hearings by her mum Lyanne Kennedy and oil rig worker dad Niel Culley - is due back in court in the Georgian capital Tbilisi on September 2. Inside the dark world of Brit 'drug mules' A SLEW of drug mule arrests involving Brits have emerged in the last few months. In April and May, Bella was the first after she allegedly tried to smuggle a suitcase of weed into Georgia. Meanwhile, former air stewardess Her two suitcases were said to have been stuffed with 46kg of a synthetic cannabis strain known as kush — which is 25 times more potent than opioid fentanyl. If found guilty, South Londoner Charlotte could face a 25-year sentence. As a young mum was detained in Germany for allegedly smuggling cannabis in her bags on a flight from Thailand - in yet another shocking case. Glamorous Cameron Bradford, 21, from Knebworth, Herts, was detained at Munich Airport on April 21 as she tried to collect her luggage. It comes as a Brit couple claiming to be tourists from Thailand have been busted with more than 33kg of cannabis in their suitcases at a Spanish airport. The pair were picked out by suspicious cops at Valencia Airport after displaying a 'nervous and evasive attitude' and are now behind bars on drug trafficking charges. Experts told The Sun how wannabe Brit Insta stars are being lured by cruel gangs into carting drugs across the world. Then last month, a six-year-old British The lad was picked up by customs officials along with his mum and five other Brits as they arrived on the tropical island. Authorities branded the
Scottish Sun
2 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Pregnant Brit ‘drug mule' Bella Culley facing 15 years in jail despite plea she was forced to smuggle £200k of cannabis
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEENAGE drug mule suspect Bella Culley faces 15 years in jail despite her plea that she was forced to peddle drugs from Thailand, prosecutors revealed today. Bella, 19, was caught in the former Soviet state of Georgia in May with £200,000 worth of cannabis in her bags. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 A Georgian prosecutor told The Sun that they have evidence the Brit 'acted with prior intent' 6 Bella Culley seen in court at the beginning of July as her devastated family watched on Credit: Supplied 6 6 She is seeking a plea bargain deal, claiming she was burned with a hot iron and shown a beheading video by a Thai gang, which forced her to fly to Tbilisi.. But, speaking for the first time, Georgian prosecutor Vakhtang Tsaluqelashvili revealed that he plans to contest the pregnant teenager's claims. And he added that the state has found evidence which proves her smuggling crime was premeditated and coolly carried out. Mr Tsaluqelashvili told The Sun: 'We have evidence confirming that the defendant acted with prior intent. 'She passed through several airports, and at no stage did she display any such, let's say, position or behaviour that would make us think this was not an intentional crime. 'Among other things, at the moment of her arrest, she did not say anything of this kind to the Georgian customs officers either. 'Given the gravity of the offence committed, the minimum expected sentence is 15 years - even taking into account the mitigating circumstances.' Bella got pregnant after a fling with an unidentified British man on the first leg of her disastrous backpacking trip and revealed she was expecting a baby boy in court on Thursday. The naive youngster from Billingham, Teesside, said she was forced to board a plane and never saw the baggage containing 31lbs of cannabis and hashish until she was arrested. She also claimed she had no idea where Georgia was and tried to raise the alarm when she boarded a flight from Bangkok. New CCTV of Brit 'mule' Bella May Culley 'smuggling £200k of cannabis' released as cops slam her claims she was coerced But CCTV produced by Thai police does not show her attempting to alert officers at the airport. Mr Tsaluqelashvil said a plea bargain deal between the prosecution and defence was still possible - but may still result in jail time or a suspended sentence plus a fine. Her lawyer Malkhaz Salakaia said that a plea bargain for his client to return to Britain was "quite likely" adding the "opportunity has been mentioned several times". Mr Salakaia told Tbilisi City Court yesterday: 'Bella has an obvious health condition - she is soon to be a mother to a baby boy and I want her to experience it while free. 'It's a pivotal moment in one's life, especially one so young. She is only 19.' Mr Salakaia added: 'There was no malicious intent on Bella's part - she was pressured and forced and there is irrefutable evidence of that. 6 She was caught at Tblisi International Airport with 30 pounds of marijuana and hashish in her luggage on May 10 Credit: Prime Time 6 Bella's mum Lyanne Kennedy (centre) leaving court in Tbilisi on Thursday "Her testimony contains even the names and last names of the individuals who forced her to transport it, she was threatened, as well as her family, including her mother who is present today. 'I want to underline that she didn't hand in the baggage - all she knows is that there is this luggage and she will be met by certain individuals once she arrives. 'The bag wasn't even locked, and it went through three countries and two continents, while Bella to this day is unaware whether Tbilisi is a country or a city. 'Bella didn't commit this crime and there is no grounds to doubt her testimony. I hope you are convinced your honor and knowing your past practice. 'I am sure she won't be found guilty." Bella - who has been supported at hearings by her mum Lyanne Kennedy and oil rig worker dad Niel Culley - is due back in court in the Georgian capital Tbilisi on September 2.
Elle
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
Bella Hadid's $50 Western Shirt Is a Transitional Wardrobe Staple
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. As a former horse girl myself, I'm living for Bella Hadid's cowgirl era. Over the past year, the model has given us a masterclass in equestrian-inspired fashion, mixing leather chaps and studded accessories with a hefty dose of denim. In a recent Instagram post, Bella topped off her rodeo duds with a Wrangler denim shirt—and you can score her exact style for just $50. Featuring yoke stitching and snap pockets on lightweight denim, Bella's shirt has all the trappings of classic cowboy style. And since the Western trend isn't going anywhere, this shirt is an easy way to infuse your wardrobe with Americana flair. Not sure how to wear it? Bella showed off two ways. First, she treats it like outerwear, leaving it unbuttoned over a delicate white eyelet dress. With fall around the corner, this layered look will come in handy when you want to keep sporting sundresses on cooler days, giving an edge (and extra warmth) to romantic silhouettes. Second, she opted for a denim-on-denim look, buttoning up the shirt and tucking it into a pair of lighter-wash jeans. A brown leather belt with a decorative Western buckle ties the whole outfit together. This riff on a Canadian tuxedo is a breeze to recreate with pieces from your own closet, and feels right on trend for fall. Since pretty much everything that Bella wears has a tendency to sell out, I was pleasantly surprised to find her exact Wrangler shirt in stock in every size. Just in case, I've rounded up a few similar styles to add to your transitional arsenal, starting at $49.
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
WWE icon Nikki Bella's reaction to Happy Gilmore 2 scenes being cut as star 'devastated'
WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella was left 'devastated' when she discovered all of her dialogue scenes had been cut from the flick Nikki Bella has revealed her shock at discovering all of her speaking scenes were axed from Happy Gilmore 2. The eagerly anticipated sequel featuring Adam Sandler as the hot-headed professional golfer finally dropped on Netflix this Friday (25th July). Crammed with appearances from sporting icons and comedy favourites, Bella was set to feature alongside fellow grapplers MJF and Becky Lynch. They even backed the movie on the red carpet during the film's premiere earlier this week, but Bella was left stunned when she settled down to view it. After catching wind of whispers that some of the film's footage had been slashed from the final version, she was "devastated" to learn the chopped scenes featured all of her spoken parts, reports the Mirror US. Breaking down the situation on The Nikki and Brie Show, she revealed: "So this is what I'm gonna say. Happy Gilmore 2 was awesome. I laughed the whole time. And there was so much I didn't know. "Now, I remember hearing a few months ago that 20 minutes was gonna have to be cut out, and I'd been praying that it wouldn't be my stuff. "Well guess what? All my talking stuff got cut. And not just me, it's the whole group of people I filmed with." Bella disclosed she and her wrestling mates had several "funny scenes" that were stripped out. Whilst she was undoubtedly gutted, she acknowledged the choice was simply part of the film-making business. "I get it when I'm watching the whole thing," she continued. "For 20 minutes to be taken out, and to keep the heart of Happy Gilmore, it had to happen." Despite this, Bella couldn't hide her disappointment after working with comedy legends on one of the most anticipated sequels of the year. Watch Stranger Things on Netflix for free with Sky from £15 Sky Get the deal here Product Description "I mean, I'm not gonna lie, like inside I was really bummed, and like devastated, yeah and like red-faced," she confessed. "Like even though I mean, like, whatever, but you know when you're like oh my gosh? Like, it just, like I was like, sad you know? "I almost wish I like knew, especially because I did media right before that, and I'm like oh my gosh I'm this character, don't even end up knowing my name!" However, despite her disappointment, Bella's scenes being cut hasn't tarnished her view of the film itself. "But it's okay," she said. "Honestly like, the movie is so good. The movie is so good! "It's the best movie I've seen in years. I'm not even just saying that." Happy Gilmore 2 is available to stream on Netflix.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Pregnant ‘drug mule' Bella Culley pleads with court as baby's gender revealed
Bella Culley, 19 and facing life behind bars, told a Georgia court: "I hope you understand my story through my eyes. I never thought something like this would happen to me." Pregnant Brit 'drug mule' Bella Culley has issued a plea to see her story 'through my eyes' – as it emerged she is due to have a boy. The teenager is facing life behind bars in Georgia after allegedly taking cannabis into the country. At a hearing today Bella – who has previously claimed to have been forced by torture – told the judge: 'I hope you understand my story through my eyes. I never thought something like this would happen to me.' The 19-year-old, whose mum Lyanne was also in the courtroom in the country's capital Tbilisi, then said 'thank you' in Georgian. It was revealed in the courtroom that Bella recently underwent medical tests and is due to have a boy – with her emotional mum later saying outside about her daughter: 'She's feeling pregnant.' And as she left the courtroom, Bella's mum also reportedly told her: 'I'll come and see you tomorrow, I love you.' Prosecutor Vakhtang Tsalughelashvili had told the court that the crime was 'heavy'. But defence lawyer Malkhaz Salakia said there was no evidence it was committed on purpose. The prosecutor said there was no new evidence from the defence to set Bella free and she should stay in prison given there is a chance of her committing the crime again. Defence lawyer Mr Salakia said: 'Bella will become a mother soon, she is expecting a boy. I want her to feel this motherhood in freedom. It's a moment of her becoming a mother for the first time in her life – she turned 19 this June. Since the crime committed is not connected to Georgia, and her family has been here – father before and now the mother is here – they are here to look after her, and there is no possibility of influencing the witnesses because they are police and officials. 'She can be assigned to visit the police department two times per month or everyday, however the judge decides – she will fulfil her duty. It's summer, and a pregnant woman needs special hygiene in the month of July – we are offering a plea agreement of 50,000 [Georgian Lari], which will be paid immediately and we ask her immediately to be set free.' But the judge, Giorgi Gelashvili, concluded that no new evidence had been introduced from the defence side – except that it's hot in prison – to change the previous decision, so Bella would stay in prison. Another hearing in the case is scheduled for early September. The judge explained that if there is a plea agreement then an earlier date could be set. Bella, from Billingham, Teesside, vanished in Thailand before turning up in Georgia where she was arrested at Tbilisi International Airport in May. She has been accused of taking cannabis and hashish into the country. Outside court, Bella's lawyer said his client was physically feeling OK.
