A tense courtroom in Georgia took a surprising turn when 19-year-old British teen Bella Culley announced she’s expecting a baby boy.
The news, shared during her court appearance in Tbilisi, briefly softened what has otherwise been a grim and high-stakes drug trafficking case.
A Bittersweet Reunion Between Mother and Daughter
It was the first time Bella’s mother, Lyanne Kennedy, had seen her daughter since her arrest on May 10.
As Bella entered the courtroom in a simple grey turtleneck, she caught her mother’s eye and smiled.
In a quiet exchange with her lawyer, Malkhaz Salakaia, Bella whispered the news, and he turned to Ms. Kennedy and said, “It’s a boy.”
Ms. Kennedy, visibly shaken in a cream-colored tracksuit, lit up at the unexpected news.
When she quietly asked Bella how she was doing, the teen gave a small nod and a nervous smile.
A Glimpse of Georgian Life from Behind Bars
Since her arrest, Bella has tried to adapt to her new surroundings.
During the hearing, she greeted the judge in Georgian, saying “Garmajoba” (hello), and ended her statement with “madloba” (thank you).
Speaking through tears, she pleaded, “I hope you can understand the story from my eyes. I never thought something like this would happen to me.”
The Charges and the Evidence
Bella was stopped at Tbilisi International Airport while arriving from Sharjah, UAE, with what authorities say was 14kg of illegal drugs in her suitcase—12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish.
Georgian prosecutors allege she was part of a smuggling operation, and she faces up to 20 years or even life in prison if convicted.
The prosecution, led by Vakhtang Tsalugelashvili, has so far opposed all attempts to release her on bail, claiming she could flee and commit the same offense again.
A judge agreed and denied the request, despite her family offering 50,000 lari (around £13,700) as surety and promising she would stay at a verifiable address in Tbilisi.
A Plea for Compassion and Claims of Coercion
Bella’s legal team argues she is not a criminal but a victim.
Her lawyer insists she was coerced into trafficking drugs by a British gang operating in Thailand.
According to her testimony, the gang threatened to harm her and her family, even going so far as to threaten beheading.
She claims she was handed the luggage and a passport and instructed to travel to Tbilisi, not even realizing it was a city rather than a country.
“She had no malicious intent,” said Salakaia.
“There’s irrefutable evidence she was forced into this. Her bag wasn’t even locked.
She was naive, traveling through three countries and two continents without truly understanding what was happening.”
Pregnancy Doesn’t Earn Her a Reprieve
Despite her condition, Bella’s request for bail was rejected again.
Her lawyer made a passionate appeal, urging the court to consider her pregnancy.
“She is 19, about to become a mother, and deserves to experience that moment outside of a prison cell,” he said.
“This is not just a legal case—it’s a life-defining situation for a young girl.”
Her family has stood by her, offering both emotional and financial support.
Her father, Niel Culley, and other relatives were present in court.
Her mother joined via video link and later told reporters that the family initially thought Bella had been arrested in the U.S. state of Georgia.
“I love Georgia, the buildings are beautiful,” she said, trying to remain optimistic. “We’re visiting her again tomorrow.”
Bella Breaks Down in Court
At a previous hearing, Bella tearfully told the judge: “I didn’t want to do this. I was tortured and forced. I just wanted to travel, study, and make my family proud.”
She insisted she had no history of drug use, and her blood tests reportedly support her claim.
“I want to live a good life, to become a nurse,” she added.
Wearing a pink jumper with her hair in a bun, she appeared emotionally overwhelmed throughout the 30-minute session.
Her lawyer described her as “scared, confused, and depressed,” and pointed to a burn scar on her arm as evidence of abuse she allegedly endured in Thailand.
Conflicting Stories from the Authorities
Meanwhile, Thai police released CCTV footage showing Bella calmly passing through airport checks.
They argue that her behavior showed no signs of distress or coercion.
According to Police Major General Cherngron Rimphadee, “She exited the country deliberately and did not appear to ask for help. It wasn’t a complicated situation.”
Authorities in Thailand have announced intentions to blacklist her for allegedly entering the country to commit a drug offense.
What Happens Next?
Bella remains in custody at the notorious Women’s Colony Number 5 on the outskirts of Tbilisi, where she’s been held for over two months.
Her case continues to develop, with a new court date set for September 2.
The defense is still hopeful for a plea bargain that might allow her to return to the UK.
For now, Bella waits—pregnant, far from home, and facing the possibility of spending the next two decades in a foreign prison.
Her legal team insists she was exploited.
Her family remains by her side.
The court has yet to decide her fate.