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Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Brit teen Bella Culley was ‘visibly shaken' to learn she faced life in jail… as new details of drugs arrest emerge
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE British teenager arrested on suspicion of smuggling drugs was reportedly visibly shaken when she learned she faced life in jail. Bella Culley's lawyer has described the teen's emotional state for the first time after meeting with her dad and aunt. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Bella Culley has been arrested on suspicion of smuggling drugs Credit: NCJ Media 10 The 18-year-old is from Billingham, County Durham Credit: @ / tiktok 10 Bella pictured in court in Tbilisi, Georgia 10 The female prison in Georgia where Bella is being held Credit: . 10 Bella, 18, faces life in jail after she was arrested at Tbilisi airport for allegedly entering the country with 34 bags of marijuana hidden in her luggage. The teen's lawyer, la Todua, told The Sun that Bella was shocked at the news and said that she "didn't know what she was doing". Ms Todua said: 'When I explained to her the consequences - that she could be sentenced to 15-20 years in prison or life - she was visibly shaken. 'My impression was that she ended up in Georgia without even knowing what she was doing. 'I got the impression she wasn't expecting those consequences." The lawyer revealed that Bella had yet to explain to her own legal team how or why she came to be in Georgia with the huge stash of drugs. Ms Todua said: 'She has not explained anything to me about the drugs - there will be a more detailed discussion about this later. 'This means that I have been unable to explain anything to her father.' The teen from Teeside stunned her family further when she announced that she was pregnant at her first court appearance on Wednesday. Ms Todua said: 'She was emotional - she announced in court that she was pregnant and one of the first things that will be done now is a medical check-up. Brit tourist, 18, reported missing for days in Thailand is arrested on 'drug offences' in Georgia 4,000 miles away "The pregnancy will be investigated." Bella has now submitted a formal request for her dad Niel and aunt Kerrie to be allowed to visit her in prison - which could take up to five working days to be processed. Ms Todua said: 'The visit could happen as soon as tomorrow but could be as late as next Wednesday, protocols have to be followed. 'Bella has written a letter to the authorities asking them to allow her father to visit, but they have not yet responded. 'They might respond tomorrow so he can go in, but they have up to five days to respond. "Bella has the right to demand a short term visit from her family of up to one hour. 'They would meet in a room, there would be no glass separating them.' Bella's dad and aunt were seen leaving the lawyer's looking upset and were being supported by UK embassy staff. But the lawyer assured that the pair had remained 'calm' throughout the ordeal. The lawyer also revealed that Bella had been assigned a young English-speaking foreign cellmate while on remand but declined to say what offence they had allegedly committed. Bella reportedly entered the Georgian capital on a flight from Thailand via Sharjah in the UAE, according to Ms Todua. The teen reportedly hid the weighty cannabis and hashish stash in separate packets crammed into her hold bag. 10 Bella pictured riding a scooter with a mystery companion 10 One of Bella's TikTok shows her joking about 'Bonnie and Clyde' crimes 10 The cannabis Bella is suspected of smuggling across the border Credit: East2West Bella now faces between ten years and life for suspected drug smuggling. But her distraught family are convinced she was led astray. Bella previously told loved ones she was meeting a man in the Philippines, sparking a police hunt for the mystery man. Bella's social media showed her clearly in the company of a male stranger on her travels - but he was never clearly pictured or named. Her granddad William Culley, 80, confirmed yesterday that while she appears to have spent most of March in Thailand she also spent time in the Philippines with a man called 'Ross or Russ'. Mr Culley said: "She went to the Philippines to see somebody, a lad there, who she used to go out with a couple of years ago, who was working out there. "She said, 'I'm going on my own, but I'm meeting Ross out there. Or Russ, I'm not sure what his name is. "He was working out there for his father's company or something - but now I wonder if what she told me was true." Video clips and snaps shared on social media show the teen holding onto a man as she rides pillion on a scooter and another shows her smoking a cannabis spliff. Another on TikTok shows her joking about 'Bonnie and Clyde' crimes and is captioned: 'Don't care if we on the run baby as long as I'm next to u.' But Bella's male companion's face never appears in the posts and he is never tagged. Family members said yesterday that she went on to meet a group of young men from the north west of England in Thailand before she was reported missing on Saturday. Her family raised the alarm, sparking a frantic search which ended in Bella's shocking arrest in Tbilisi. Bella's dad - who lives in Vietnam - even travelled to Thailand to help look for her. Her dad has now travelled to Tbilisi to try to see Bella, as he told how he is suffering "every parent's worst nightmare". Bella appeared in court in the Georgian capital after being detained by cops who are believed to have acted on a tip-off. Local sources said a border check revealed '34 hermetically sealed packages containing marijuana were found in the passenger's bag, as well as 20 packages of hashish'. The teen faces charges of illegally purchasing and storing narcotics, illegally purchasing and storing the narcotic drug marijuana, and illegally importing it into Georgia and is due back in court on July 1. Unexplained records have also emerged revealing Bella's apparent business links to the Far East - with her listed as the director of at least two companies with Chinese ties. Bella's cousin took to Facebook yesterday to make a statement. She wrote: "No parents ever want to find themselves in this situation, and they are going through the worst time of their lives right now and are at the start of an extremely difficult journey. "Speculation and rumours are making it harder to navigate through this nightmare." 10 Bella shared her travels on her social media accounts
The Irish Sun
15-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Brit teen Bella Culley was ‘visibly shaken' to learn she faced life in jail… as new details of drugs arrest emerge
THE British teenager arrested on suspicion of smuggling drugs was reportedly visibly shaken when she learned she faced life in jail. Bella Culley's lawyer has described the teen's emotional state for the first time after meeting with her dad and aunt. 10 Bella Culley has been arrested on suspicion of smuggling drugs Credit: NCJ Media 10 The 18-year-old is from Billingham, County Durham Credit: @ / tiktok 10 Bella pictured in court in Tbilisi, Georgia 10 The female prison in Georgia where Bella is being held Credit: . 10 Bella, 18, faces life in jail after she was arrested at Tbilisi airport for allegedly entering the country with 34 bags of marijuana hidden in her luggage. The teen's lawyer, la Todua, told The Sun that Bella was shocked at the news and said that she "didn't know what she was doing". Ms Todua said: 'When I explained to her the consequences - that she could be sentenced to 15-20 years in prison or life - she was visibly shaken. 'My impression was that she ended up in Georgia without even knowing what she was doing. 'I got the impression she wasn't expecting those consequences." The lawyer revealed that Bella had yet to explain to her own legal team how or why she came to be in Georgia with the huge stash of drugs. Ms Todua said: 'She has not explained anything to me about the drugs - there will be a more detailed discussion about this later. 'This means that I have been unable to explain anything to her father.' Most read in The US Sun The teen from Teeside stunned her family further when she announced that she was pregnant at her first court appearance on Wednesday. Ms Todua said: 'She was emotional - she announced in court that she was pregnant and one of the first things that will be done now is a medical check-up. Brit tourist, 18, reported missing for days in Thailand is arrested on 'drug offences' in Georgia 4,000 miles away "The pregnancy will be investigated." Bella has now submitted a formal request for her dad Niel and aunt Kerrie to be allowed to visit her in prison - which could take up to five working days to be processed. Ms Todua said: 'The visit could happen as soon as tomorrow but could be as late as next Wednesday, protocols have to be followed. 'Bella has written a letter to the authorities asking them to allow her father to visit, but they have not yet responded. 'They might respond tomorrow so he can go in, but they have up to five days to respond. "Bella has the right to demand a short term visit from her family of up to one hour. 'They would meet in a room, there would be no glass separating them.' Bella's dad and aunt were seen leaving the lawyer's looking upset and were being supported by UK embassy staff. But the lawyer assured that the pair had remained 'calm' throughout the ordeal. The lawyer also revealed that Bella had been assigned a young English-speaking foreign cellmate while on remand but declined to say what offence they had allegedly committed. Bella reportedly entered the Georgian capital on a flight from Thailand via Sharjah in the UAE, according to Ms Todua. The teen reportedly hid the weighty cannabis and hashish stash in separate packets crammed into her hold bag. 10 Bella pictured riding a scooter with a mystery companion 10 One of Bella's TikTok shows her joking about 'Bonnie and Clyde' crimes 10 The cannabis Bella is suspected of smuggling across the border Credit: East2West Bella now But her distraught family are convinced she was led astray. Bella previously told loved ones she was meeting a man in the Philippines, sparking a police hunt for the mystery man. Bella's social media showed her clearly in the company of a male stranger on her travels - but he was never clearly pictured or named. Her granddad William Culley, 80, confirmed yesterday that while she appears to have spent most of March in Mr Culley said: "She went to the Philippines to see somebody, a lad there, who she used to go out with a couple of years ago, who was working out there. "She said, 'I'm going on my own, but I'm meeting Ross out there. Or Russ, I'm not sure what his name is. "He was working out there for his father's company or something - but now I wonder if what she told me was true." Video clips and snaps shared on social media show the teen holding onto a man as she rides pillion on a scooter and another shows her Another on But Bella's male companion's face never appears in the posts and he is never tagged. Family members said yesterday Her family raised the alarm, sparking a frantic search which ended in Bella's shocking arrest in Tbilisi. Bella's dad - who lives in Vietnam - even travelled to Thailand to help look for her. Her dad has now travelled to Tbilisi to try to see Bella, as he told how he is suffering "every parent's worst nightmare". Bella appeared in court in the Georgian capital after being detained by cops who are believed to have acted on a tip-off. Local sources said a border check revealed '34 hermetically sealed packages containing marijuana were found in the passenger's bag, as well as 20 packages of hashish'. The teen faces charges of illegally purchasing and storing narcotics, illegally purchasing and storing the narcotic drug marijuana, and illegally importing it into Georgia and is due back in court on July 1. Unexplained records have also emerged revealing Bella's apparent business links to the Far East - with her listed as the director of at least two companies with Chinese ties. Bella's cousin took to Facebook yesterday to make a statement. Read more on the Irish Sun She wrote: "No parents ever want to find themselves in this situation, and they are going through the worst time of their lives right now and are at the start of an extremely difficult journey. "Speculation and rumours are making it harder to navigate through this nightmare." 10 Bella shared her travels on her social media accounts 10 Bella pictured on a motorcycle while on her travels
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
‘Depressed & scared' pregnant Brit teen ‘smuggler' Bella Culley, 18, is staying SILENT in Georgian jail, lawyer reveals
BRITISH drugs suspect Bella May Culley, 18, is 'depressed, confused and scared' as she faces possible life imprisonment in Georgia, her lawyer has said. The teenager from County Durham is accused of carrying cannabis into the Eastern European country. 5 Bella May Culley appearing in court this week Credit: East2West 5 She faces possible life imprisonment in Georgia Credit: East2West 5 Georgian policemen stand guard in front of the prison of Rustavi, outside Tbilisi Credit: AFP 5 Bella May Culley had been missing in Thailand Credit: NCJ Media 5 Lawyer Ia Todua said: 'The detainee says that she is pregnant. 'She needs special examination and attention. 'In addition, in my assessment, she was depressed, confused and scared.' Todua told RFE/RL: 'When the accusation was presented, given that it was a foreign environment for her, it was her first time communicating with law enforcement officers, we agreed on such a position that she should exercise her right to remain silent in order to develop herself.' Todua revealed that Culley's father Neil was flying to Tbilisi. Her dad lives in Vietnam, has been travelling to the Eastern European nation to be by his daughter's side. She was detained after drugs were allegedly found in her suitcase after arriving from Thailand. It is possible that a separate legal team will be hired. The British embassy in Tbilisi said: 'We are assisting the family of the British woman detained in Georgia and are also in contact with the local authorities.' Law enforcement is expected to contact the suspect 'in a few days' in her detention jail. A report said that neither the Ministry of Internal Affairs nor the Customs Department of the Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance in Tbilisi say which country the British woman entered Georgia from, nor whether Georgia was her final destination. Any onward travel plans have not been disclosed. But Todua told RFE/RL that according to the case materials, Culley arrived in Georgia from Thailand and, according to her travel tickets, intended to stay in Georgia. The suspect is accused of carrying 34 hermetically sealed packages containing marijuana as well as 20 packages of hashish into the ex-Soviet republic. She was reported missing in Thailand - where she had been travelling - before her arrest. Her family raised the alarm after she failed to contact anyone since Saturday. A loved-one said: "She is just a student - she doesn't really go out or do anything like that. She just wanted a break so took herself to Thailand. "She must have become mixed up with someone. She must have met someone who has taken advantage of her." Georgia's Interior Ministry says she could face 20 years or even a life sentence. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
The Irish Sun
15-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
‘Depressed & scared' pregnant Brit teen ‘smuggler' Bella Culley, 18, is staying SILENT in Georgian jail, lawyer reveals
BRITISH drugs suspect Bella May Culley, 18, is 'depressed, confused and scared' as she faces possible life imprisonment in Georgia, her lawyer has said. The teenager from County Durham is accused of carrying cannabis into the Eastern European country. 5 Bella May Culley appearing in court this week Credit: East2West 5 She faces possible life imprisonment in Georgia Credit: East2West 5 Georgian policemen stand guard in front of the prison of Rustavi, outside Tbilisi Credit: AFP 5 Bella May Culley had been missing in Thailand Credit: NCJ Media 5 Lawyer Ia Todua said: 'The detainee says that she is pregnant. 'She needs special examination and attention. 'In addition, in my assessment, she was depressed, confused and scared.' Todua told RFE/RL: 'When the accusation was presented, given that it was a foreign environment for her, it was her first time communicating with law enforcement officers, we agreed on such a position that she should exercise her right to remain silent in order to develop herself.' Todua revealed that Culley's father Neil was flying to Tbilisi. Her dad lives in Vietnam , has been travelling to the Eastern European nation to be by his daughter's side. She was detained after drugs were allegedly found in her suitcase after arriving from Thailand. It is possible that a separate legal team will be hired. Most read in The Sun The British embassy in Tbilisi said: 'We are assisting the family of the British woman detained in Georgia and are also in contact with the local authorities.' Law enforcement is expected to contact the suspect 'in a few days' in her detention jail. A report said that neither the Ministry of Internal Affairs nor the Customs Department of the Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance in Tbilisi say which country the British woman entered Georgia from, nor whether Georgia was her final destination. Any onward travel plans have not been disclosed. But Todua told RFE/RL that according to the case materials, Culley arrived in Georgia from Thailand and, according to her travel tickets, intended to stay in Georgia. The suspect is accused of carrying 34 hermetically sealed packages containing marijuana as well as 20 packages of hashish into the ex-Soviet republic. She was reported missing in Thailand - where Her family raised the alarm after she failed to contact anyone since Saturday. A loved-one said: "She is just a student - she doesn't really go out or do anything like that. She just wanted a break so took herself to Thailand. "She must have become mixed up with someone. She must have met someone who has taken advantage of her." Georgia's Interior Ministry says she could face 20 years or even a life sentence. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Read more on the Irish Sun is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at
