Latest news with #LyanneKennedy
The Independent
15-05-2025
- The Independent
Everything we know about British teenager who went missing in Thailand before being arrested in Georgia
Authorities still have many questions after a British teenager who disappeared while travelling in Thailand before being arrested 4,000 miles away in Tbilisi, Georgia. Bella May Culley, 18, was arrested at Tbilisi International Airport in possession of '34 hermetically sealed packages containing marijuana … as well as 20 packages of hashish', according to local media. She had originally not been heard from since last Saturday, when she failed to check in with her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, as planned while she was travelling southeast Asia. The Georgian interior ministry says the teenager is facing life imprisonment, which is 20 years. A statement read: 'B.K, born in 2006, is charged with illegally purchasing and storing a particularly large amount of narcotics, illegally purchasing and storing the narcotic drug marijuana, and illegally importing it into Georgia. The committed crime envisions up to 20 years – or life imprisonment.' A British Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that Ms Culley had been detained in Georgia and that they were supporting the teenager's family. Cleveland police have also confirmed that Ms Culley had been detained in Georgia. Her family first launched an appeal for the missing teenager on Tuesday morning. Her father, Neil Culley and aunt flew out to Bangkok over the weekend to find out more about Ms Culley's whereabouts, only to discover that she was in Georgia. Here's everything we know so far about Ms Culley's case. Who is she? The 18-year-old is from Billingham, County Durham. She reportedly had hopes of becoming a nurse after finishing an access course at Middlesbrough College The teenager had remained in close contact with her family during her trip and was meant to check in with her mother on Saturday at 5.30pm for a Facetime, but never did. 'That was the last message anyone has received from what we can figure out up to now,' said Ms Kennedy. 'I'm just waiting on her dad who is now in Bangkok to get back with any more information. I just want her home and safe or to hear her gorgeous little voice.' Ms Culley's dad lives in Vietnam, according to Ms Kennedy, who told The Sun that her daughter 'always wanted to see Asia. 'She loves all the touristy stuff, like releasing turtles." Ms Culley has reportedly told prosecutors in Georgia that she is pregnant. Her state-appointed lawyer revealed that 'She told the court and later me as well that she is pregnant", according to The Mirror. The lawyer continued in a statement: "This was her first time in the court and she was terrified and confused, kind of lost. Because of that we decided to exercise the right to remain silent. In a few days, after we've had consultations and discussions, we'll decide whether and how to adjust this position. New lawyers, private ones, both Georgian and British, will soon be involved and more details will be told." What was she doing in Thailand? The teenager had decided to travel southeast Asia after finishing her course at Middlesbrough College. Her mother told Teesside Live that her daughter flew to the Philippines after Easter with a friend and was there for three weeks. 'She was posting loads of pictures,' Ms Kennedy said. Her mother told The Sun that the decision to go to Thailand wasn't planned, but when her friend decided to go to Ibiza, Bella decided to head in a different direction because 'she doesn't drink that much and isn't really into the party lifestyle.' She went to Thailand on 3 May, reportedly to meet friends she'd made on a previous trip that her mother didn't know. Why is she in Georgia? After going missing in Thailand, Bella resurfaced at Tbilisi International Airport, where she was arrested for possessing 30lbs of cannabis. One of her charges is illegally importing the narcotic into Georgia. It remains unclear how and why she ended up 4,000 miles away from her holiday destination. Bella's grandfather, 80-year-old William Culley, suggested to The Mirror that his granddaughter must have been taken advantage of. 'She's not daft, she's an intelligent girl. Why has she done it? Has someone dangled money in front of her? We just don't know what has gone on until we get out there and talk to her. We are just hoping that somebody can do something. She must be terrified.' What consequences does Bella face? The prosecutor has asked for 55 days to find evidence before the case is brought to trial. She faces up to 20 years - or life imprisonment - if found guilty for illegally purchasing and storing the drugs and illegally importing it into Georgia. Bella would be imprisoned in the country's only women's prison, Prison No.5, located outside the town of Rustavi, a 45-minute drive from the capital. It houses nearly all of the country's female prison population, according to Penal Rights International. The jail comprises a series of cell blocks and training facilities, where women can participate in courses such as traditional Georgian felt making, beauty therapy and hairdressing. The prison has been subject to controversy and less than 20 years ago at least seven prisoners were killed and 17 injured during a disturbance which led to force from law enforcement agents, including special forces, according to the Human Rights Watch.
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brit facing life in jail slams 's*** on my shoe' drug takers in unearthed TikTok
Ms Culley has been accused of trying to move a large amount of cannabis into Georgia - a matter of days after she was reported missing thousands of miles away in Thailand Bella May Culley, the Brit teen facing life behind bars after she allegedly tried to move 14kg of cannabis into a former Soviet nation slammed people who take drugs as "s*** on my shoe" in an unearthed TikTok. The 18-year-old from from Billingham, County Durham, became the subject of an intense international manhunt after she was reported missing by her family during a Thailand holiday last week, only to turn up a few days later detained 4,000 miles away in Tblisi, Georgia. Local authorities alleged she had tried to bring 34 bags of cannabis into the country - approximately 14 kilograms worth of illegal product. The teen has previously taken a hard line stance against drugs on social media, suggesting in an unearthed post that they were a line she could never cross. Posting on TikTok Ms Culley said she "will literally be up for anything" but drew a hard limit at smoking or doing drugs. She wrote: "I will literally be up for anything. But if you ask me to smoke a fag or a vape or do any drug I will look at you like you are s*** on my shoe." Her mum also previously said she wasn't a fan of the "party lifestyle", having chosen to take her trip to Thailand in a spur-of-the-moment decision instead of following a friend to Spain. Lyanne Kennedy said her daughter "doesn't drink that much and isn't really into the party lifestyle". Lyanne Kennedy, 44, told The Sun her daughter had originally intended to go just to the Philippines, but had made a spur-of-the-moment decision to hop to Thailand after a friend split off for Spain. She had wanted to "meet up with some friends" she made on a previous trip, but Ms Kennedy said she didn't "trust some of the boys over there". But, according to local Georgian outlets, she has been charged with a raft of serious drug-related offences which could land her a decades-long stint behind bars. Her charges include illegally purchasing and storing a particularly large amount of narcotics, illegally purchasing and storing the narcotic drug marijuana, and illegally importing it into Georgia. The country's Interior Ministry said it "envisions up to 20 years - or life imprisonment" for the alleged crimes. If she is convicted and does have to serve out a sentence, she could end up giving birth in prison, as the teen has told her lawyer she is pregnant. Ia Todua, Ms Culley's state-appointed lawyer, said the "terrified and confused" teen had "told the court and later me" that she was pregnant. She said: "This was her first time in the court and she was terrified and confused, kind of lost. Because of that we decided to exercise the right to remain silent. "In a few days, after we've had consultations and discussions, we'll decide whether and how to adjust this position. New lawyers, private ones, both Georgian and British, will soon be involved and more details will be told. She told the court and later me as well that she is pregnant". Ms Culley was allegedly caught carrying 14 kilograms of cannabis into Georgia when she was flagged during a routine scanner check at Tblisi International Airport. The inspection allegedly revealed "34 hermetically sealed packages containing marijuana were found in the passenger's bag, as well as 20 packages of hashish" according to local media. Cleveland Police have confirmed an "18-year-old woman from Billingham" was arrested "on suspicion of drugs offences and that she remains in their custody". A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) told the Mirror: 'We are supporting the family of a British woman who is detained in Georgia and are in contact with the local authorities.' It is understood her dad is flying to Georgia today, and that there will be a medical examination to check her condition, including apparent pregnancy. A pre-court hearing has been scheduled for July 1.
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brit teen's mum knew something was wrong on holiday – now she faces life in jail
The 18-year-old usually active social media user and messager went radio silent a few days before she turned up in Georgia accused of trying to move large amounts of illegal drugs Banged up Brit Bella May Culley's mum begged her to come home after realising something was wrong - before she went missing and turned up incarcerated thousands of miles overseas. The 18-year-old was reported missing last week as she enjoyed a dream holiday in Thailand, triggering an international manhunt after her family raised the alarm. She turned up unexpectedly in Georgia, more than 4,000 miles away, accused of attempting to smuggle 34 bags of cannabis after she was allegedly intercepted at airport security in Tblisi with the roughly 14kg of drugs. Her mum had no idea she had even left the sunkissed southeast Asian nation when she resurfaced, having earlier "begged" she return to the UK. Lyanne Kennedy, 44, told The Sun her daughter had originally intended to go just to the Philippines, but had made a spur-of-the-moment decision to hop to Thailand after a friend split off for Spain. She had wanted to "meet up with some friends" she made on a previous trip, but Ms Kennedy said she didn't "trust some of the boys over there". She said: "I really didn't want her to go to Thailand. I begged her to come home. I don't trust some of the boys over there. But she wanted to meet up with some friends she made over there on a previous trip. I don't know who any of them are." The mum said she first realised something was wrong when her daughter failed to video call with her one Saturday as planned, adding no one had spoken with the usually highly responsive teen since Friday. She added that none of her messages were getting through to her aspiring nurse daughter. She said: "I noticed on Saturday evening that she hadn't called as she promised. On Sunday, I sent a message to her WhatsApp - and could see that her phone wasn't receiving it. The messages still aren't getting through. Even if she's lost her phone, she'd remember one of our numbers and call - and you can log into your social media on anyone's phone these days." Ms Culley, who regularly posted on social media with dozens of photos showing her stunning tour around Asia, was last active on TikTok, posting on the platform on May 9, four days before she turned up in Georgia. She claimed not to be interested in doing "any drug" before she was accused to attempting to bring cannabis into the country, writing she would look at people "like you are s*** on my shoe" if someone tried to offer her drugs. She wrote: "I will literally be up for anything. But if you ask me to smoke a fag or a vape or do any drug I will look at you like you are s*** on my shoe." It's today been reported that Bella told the Tbilisi court she is pregnant. The girl's lawyer Ia Todua, who has been appointed by the state, said: "This was her first time in the court and she was terrified and confused, kind of lost. Because of that we decided to exercise the right to remain silent. 'In a few days, after we've had consultations and discussions, we'll decide whether and how to adjust this position. New lawyers, private ones, both Georgian and British, will soon be involved and more details will be told. She told the court and later me as well that she is pregnant". The Georgian Interior Ministry "envisions" she could spend up to 20 years "or life imprisonment" if she is found guilty of her reported charges. Local media reports that they include llegally purchasing and storing a particularly large amount of narcotics, illegally purchasing and storing the narcotic drug marijuana, and illegally importing it into Georgia. Ms Culley was allegedly caught carrying 14 kilograms of cannabis into Georgia when she was flagged during a routine scanner check at Tblisi International Airport. The inspection allegedly revealed "34 hermetically sealed packages containing marijuana were found in the passenger's bag, as well as 20 packages of hashish" according to local media. Ms Culley has been remanded in custody as she awaits trial, with a judge overseeing the case electing to refuse bail and hold her after deciding she posed a flight risk. A pre-court hearing has been scheduled for July 1. Cleveland Police have confirmed an "18-year-old woman from Billingham" was arrested "on suspicion of drugs offences and that she remains in their custody". A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) told the Mirror: 'We are supporting the family of a British woman who is detained in Georgia and are in contact with the local authorities.'
The Independent
14-05-2025
- The Independent
British teenager reported missing in Thailand found detained in Georgia on drug smuggling charges
A British teenager who disappeared while travelling in Thailand has been arrested 4,000 miles away in Georgia, accused of smuggling dozens of bags of cannabis into the country. Bella May Culley, 18, from Billingham, County Durham, was filmed by local media walking into a court in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi in handcuffs. She had not been heard from since last Saturday, when she failed to check in with her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, as planned. The teenager's father and aunt had flown out to Bangkok over the weekend to find out more about Ms Culley's whereabouts, only to discover on Tuesday that she was in Georgia. The Georgian interior ministry says the teenager is facing life imprisonment, which is 20 years. A statement read: 'B.K, born in 2006, is charged with illegally purchasing and storing a particularly large amount of narcotics, illegally purchasing and storing the narcotic drug marijuana, and illegally importing it into Georgia. The committed crime envisions up to 20 years — or life imprisonment.' Local media said the teenager was arrested at Tbilisi airport in possession of '34 hermetically sealed packages containing marijuana … as well as 20 packages of hashish'. A British Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that Ms Culley had been detained in Georgia and that they were supporting the teenager's family. Cleveland police also confirmed Ms Culley had been detained in Georgia. Ms Kennedy said her daughter had been flow to Thailand on 3 May after travelling around the Philippines in April. 'She flew out to the Philippines after Easter with a friend and she was there for three weeks,' Mrs Kennedy told Teesside Live. 'She was posting loads of pictures and then she went to Thailand on about May 3. The last message she sent was to me and that was on Saturday at 5.30 pm, saying she was going to FaceTime me later. 'That was the last message anyone has received from what we can figure out up to now.'
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Shocking update on British tourist, 18, who 'vanished on holiday in Thailand' after her family put out desperate plea
A British teenager who went missing while on holiday in Thailand, sparking a huge search to find her, has been arrested in Georgia on 'drug offences.' Bella May Culley, 18, from Billingham, County Durham, had been travelling around the country with a friend but had not been heard from since Saturday. Her phone was said to have been turned off and she was last thought to be in the Pattaya area, which is close to Bangkok. But now, Cleveland Police has said that authorities in Georgia have confirmed that 'an 18-year-old woman from Billingham has been arrested there on suspicion of drugs offences and that she remains in their custody.' Questions remain as to how Bella journeyed from Thailand to Georgia. The teenager first flew out to the Philippines just after Easter this year and flew to Thailand around May 3. Bella had been regularly posting on social media and last shared a picture to Facebook on Monday, May 5. Her distraught family earlier appealed for help to trace her whereabouts, with police in Thailand involved in the search. Bella, who has recently finished a course at Middlesbrough College with the aim of becoming a nurse, was in regular contact with her mother Lyanne Kennedy and was due to speak with her on Saturday but the family has had no word since. Bella's father Neil Culley flew out to Thailand with his sister Kerrie Culley to try to get answers. Lyanne told Teesside Live: 'She flew out to the Philippines after Easter with a friend and she was there for three weeks. 'She was posting loads of pictures and then she went to Thailand on about May 3. 'The last message she sent was to me and that was on Saturday at 5.30pm saying she was going to Facetime me later. 'That was the last message anyone has received from what we can figure out up to now. 'I'm just waiting on her dad who is now in Bangkok to get back with any more information. 'I just want her home and safe or to hear her gorgeous little voice.' Lyanne also told the Sun that she had a bad feeling about Bella's trip to Thailand, telling the newspaper: 'I really didn't want her to go to Thailand. I begged her to come home. I don't trust some of the boys over there. Bella's mother Lyanne posted this appeal on Facebook for help to trace her whereabouts, with police in Thailand now involved in the search 'But she wanted to meet up with some friends she made over there on a previous trip. I don't know who any of them are.' After Bella's father Neil arrived in Bankkok, he went straight to a police station, where officers told him to contact the country's immigration bureau to figure out where Bella was last staying. Lyanne told the Sun: 'When she stopped answering messages I assumed it was because she was flying back to surprise me. But then nothing.' The family got in touch with the airline, who revealed that Bella had made a request for a ticket but the payment never went through. Lyanne added: 'We think she was last near Pattaya, and was supposed to fly back from Bangkok via Frankfurt according to the itinerary.' 'But I never heard anything about picking her up.'
