A young woman named Bella Culley, who is pregnant, is set to return to the UK today after receiving permission to board a direct flight. Culley, 19, was detained in Georgia on charges related to drug smuggling but was released on compassionate grounds. She will be traveling back to Britain with her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, on an easyJet flight scheduled to arrive at London Luton Airport at 7 pm. Culley, a resident of Billingham in Teesside, was facing sentencing in Georgia for allegedly carrying marijuana and hashish in her luggage at Tbilisi international airport in May.
After spending five months in a prison in Georgia, Culley’s two-year sentence was reduced to five months and 25 days following a plea deal between prosecutors and her defense team. The decision to release her was influenced by her young age and pregnancy. Prosecutors cited her cooperation and good behavior while considering her circumstances. Court sources revealed that the Georgian authorities showed leniency towards Culley due to her imminent childbirth.
Videos captured Culley looking relieved and grateful as she exited the court premises with her lawyer. She expressed surprise at being freed and thanked the press for their support. When asked about her prison experience, Culley’s mother intervened, signaling that they preferred not to discuss it. Culley promptly left the scene, eager to move on.
Plans are in place for Culley to be picked up from Luton Airport and driven back to her residence in the North East.
