Pregnant British teenager breaks down in foreign court as she claims 'I was tortured'

A suspected British drug smuggler, 19, has claimed she had been 'forced by torture' in court. (Image: Facbook)

A suspected British drug smuggler cried in court in Georgia, claiming she had been "forced by torture". Bella May Culley, 19, faces life behind bars after being arrested earlier this year for allegedly taking cannabis into the eastern European country that borders Russia and was once part of the Soviet Union.

The teenager, from Teesside, appeared in court in the capital, Tbilisi, on Tuesday (July 2) where she cried as a lawyer handed her tissues. Miss Culley, who the court heard is 18 weeks pregnant, told the judge: " I didn't want to do this. I was forced by torture. I just wanted to travel. I study at the university... to become a nurse. "All I wanted to do was to travel and this happened to me. I'm clean - I had nothing in my blood test. I wanted to make my family proud. Thanks for listening."

The Brit, who went missing in Thailand, is accused of taking 12kg (26lbs) of marijuana and 2kg (4.4lbs) of hashish into Georgia. (Image: Facebook)

The Brit, who went missing in Thailand, was arrested at Tbilisi International Airport on May 10. She is accused of taking 12kg (26lbs) of marijuana and 2kg (4.4lbs) of hashish into the country. She was detained for 52 days before trial while the prosecution investigated where the drugs, found in a travel bag, came from and whether she was planning on handing them over to someone else.

Miss Culley's lawyer, Malkaz Salakaia - who does not speak English and specialises in juvenile law, according to the BBC - said his client was told she would be approached by some people in Tbilisi airport, but this did not happen as she was taken by the customs officer in Georgia. The lawyer asked Miss Culley to show the court her arm with a scar, apparently caused by an iron in Thailand.

The Brit then stood up, showing the court her right arm. Miss Culley said she was forced to take the case and did not know what was inside. Mr Salakaia said there was no risk of her leaving the country as he asked for bail, but was denied.

Miss Culley was denied bail and will appear in court again on July 10. (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)

Miss Culley's father, Neil, aunt and grandfather were all present at the small courtroom in Tbilisi.

Bella left the court crying and was told by her family: "Try not to worry. Good girl". She is due to appear in court again on July 10.

According to a Georgian police spokesperson, the arrest was the result of a joint operation between multiple departments. If found guilty, Miss Culley could face up to 20 years in jail or life imprisonment.

The new update comes as it was revealed her dad was denied permission to visit her since he arrived in Georgia on May 14. The case raises a number of unanswered questions, including who Miss Culley was referring to as "Clyde" in a previous comment on social media. In a video posted on her TikTok account, Miss Culley reportedly boasted of leading a "Bonnie and Clyde" lifestyle, in reference to the notorious US couple known for their murders, kidnappings and bank robberies in the 1930s.