A pregnant British teenager facing serious drug smuggling charges in Georgia has told a judge: "I never thought something like this would happen to me." Bella Culley, 19, from Billingham, Teesside, appeared in court in the capital Tbilisi where she is charged with importing cannabis in her luggage.
If found guilty, she faces up to 20 years' or life imprisonment. She denies the charges and claims she was tortured in Thailand and forced to bring the drugs into Georgia when she flew into the country in May.
Lawyer claims torture allegations
The teenager's lawyer Malkhaz Salakaia told the court that his client had been subjected to torture before the transportation of the luggage. He said: "The torture occurred before the transportation of the luggage, which she never touched."
Salakaia added that "specific individuals handled and checked in her luggage", suggesting Culley was not responsible for packing the drugs. Speaking directly to the judge at Thursday's hearing, Culley said: "I never thought something like this would happen to me."
Mother breaks down in court
Culley is pregnant and her mother Lyanne Kennedy was present in court during the proceedings. Kennedy burst into tears when she heard that the baby was a boy.
The case was adjourned until September 2, giving both sides more time to prepare their arguments. The serious nature of the charges means Culley faces decades behind bars if found guilty of the drug smuggling allegations.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
