Pregnant accused drug smuggler Bella Culley’s legal team is striving to secure her pre-birth release from prison, as disclosed by sources. Despite reaching a plea agreement resulting in a two-year jail sentence, the 19-year-old Brit, expecting to deliver in December, will face formal sentencing next week for her alleged involvement in drug trafficking from Thailand to Georgia.
In a recent court session in Tbilisi, it was revealed that Culley’s family, comprising her mother Lyanne Kennedy, aged 44, and father Niel Culley, a 49-year-old oil rig technician, contributed £138,000 to the court. The specifics of whether she will serve her entire term in a female correctional facility near Tbilisi or possibly transition to house arrest or extradition for serving her sentence in the UK remain uncertain.
Reports indicate that Culley’s legal advisors are exploring the option of seeking a presidential pardon, which could result in her prompt departure from Georgia if granted. In case the pardon application falls through, there is a possibility of Culley being granted parole before childbirth due to her pregnancy and exemplary conduct while in custody.
Should the freedom endeavors fail, sources suggest that Culley may be relocated from prison to a nearby hospital for childbirth, followed by raising her child within a designated special quarters within custody. During a recent court appearance, Culley, donning a grey sleeveless cardigan and pink t-shirt with a new hairstyle, displayed a mixture of surprise and joy upon learning the terms of the plea deal.
Her legal representative previously emphasized that the fine amount paid would influence the duration of her sentence, hinting at the potential annulment of jail time based on the sum provided. Following the court proceedings, Culley’s mother expressed disappointment over the court’s demand for a significantly higher sum than what the family could afford for her daughter’s release.
The prosecutor confirmed that the plea agreement terms had been met, while Culley’s lawyer requested her release on bail citing her cooperation and pregnancy. However, the motion was denied by Judge Giorgi Gelashvili due to the absence of legal grounds for altering Culley’s current conditions.
Despite the legal complexities, Culley’s primary concern during the hearing was whether she could keep her baby with her if she returned to jail. Reassured by her lawyer, Culley, a student nurse from Billingham, Teesside, who went missing in Thailand before being apprehended in Georgia, faces a challenging legal battle with a distressing backstory involving coercion by criminal elements.
In a post-hearing statement, her lawyer emphasized Culley’s well-being and the smooth progression of her pregnancy, indicating her ability to bond with her child post-birth.
