Brit ‘smuggler' Bella Culley's cash wad & ‘Bonnie & Clyde' brag on TikTok before arrest 4,000 miles away from Thai hols
, 18, from
County Durham
, disappeared while travelling in south-east Asia and reappeared in handcuffs in Tbilisi.
15
Bella bragged of a 'Bonnie and Clyde' lifestyle on TikTok
Credit: TikTok
15
She showed off huge wads of cash
Credit: @bellamay.xx/TikTok
15
Bella went on a trip to the Philippines and then took a detour to Thailand
Credit: Facebook
15
Bella appeared in court in Georgia today, where she did not comment on the charges
Credit: East2West
15
Police say they found 34 bags of cannabis in her luggage while trying to enter Georgia
Credit: East2West
She
cannabis
in her luggage - and could face 20 behind bars.
Now, clips of Bella bragging about making piles of cash and living a "Bonnie n Clyde" lifestyle have emerged.
One
TikTok
video shows Bella posing on a balcony, captioned: "Blonde or brunette? Erm how about we get up to criminal activities side by side like Bonnie n Clyde."
It goes on: "Making heavy figures and f*****g on balconies all over the world".
READ MORE ON THE BRIT TEEN
Another post flaunts huge stacks of cash, with her clutching a bundle of £10 and £20 notes held together by a hairband.
The online brags about making
money
and
crime
began before she jetted to south-east Asia a few weeks ago, just after Easter.
Out in Asia, evidence of her lavish lifestyle continues with videos of Bella partying, lounging on beaches, scuba diving and
smoking
marijuana in the back of a cars.
But her content suddenly dried up last week - along with her messages back home.
Most read in The Sun
Her family were clueless at first and put out a desperate plea for information, fearing Bella was still in Thailand and missing.
But yesterday, Georgian authorities released photos of Bella being marched while handcuffed into a
police
station.
Brit tourist, 18, reported missing for days in Thailand is arrested on 'drug offences' in Georgia 4,000 miles away
Airport staff had stopped her on the way in and allegedly found 34 bags of cannabis in her luggage.
The aspiring nurse could face 20 years in an overcrowded former Soviet
prison
or even a life sentence, the country's Interior Ministry said.
Taking the stand today, she told the
court
she was pregnant before adding she would reserve the right to remain silent.
She is said to be 'confused and terrified'.
15
Georgian authorities released footage showing the British teen in handcuffs
Credit: East2West
15
Police in Georgia released images of the alleged hoard the British teen is accused of trying to smuggle into the country
Credit: East2West
15
The cannabis was wrapped in black bags in her luggage, police said
Credit: East2West
15
Her baffled dad Neil Culley, who lives in
Vietnam
where he works off-shore, is flying to Eastern
Europe
to be by his daughter's side in
Georgia
today.
A loved-one said: 'She is just a student - she doesn't really go out or do anything like that. She just wanted a break so took herself to Thailand.
'She must have become mixed up with someone. She must have met someone who has taken advantage of her.'
Meanwhile Bella's paternal grandfather William Culley, 80, said he feared he may not see his 'intelligent' granddaughter again and said "she's not an international drug trafficker".
Bella went travelling with a friend to the Philippines last month and then decided to take a spontaneous trip to
Thailand
on May 3.
Her mum, Lyanne, told The Sun that went to reconnect with some people she met on a previous trip to the country.
Her family raised the alarm during her holiday after she failed to contact anyone since Saturday, despite usually flooding her family with texts, sparking a huge international search operation.
They had no idea that she had even left Thailand and were shocked to learn of her arrest in a different continent.
Her mum previously said that Bella "doesn't like the party lifestyle", so it was even more of a shock to hear she was accused of a major drug smuggling operation.
The Brit remained silent on the charges when she appeared in court today.
15
Bella posted videos of her smoking in the back of cars
Credit: @bellamay.xx / tiktok
15
She told her mum she was going to Thailand to reconnect with friends she previously made in the country
Credit: Facebook
15
She posted regularly to her social media accounts - but all communication dried up at the weekend
Credit: Facebook
Major Georgian TV outlet Rustavi 2 in a text report said that Bella May Culley had told the Tbilisi court that she was 'pregnant'.
The judge remanded her in custody.
Meanwhile, mystery surrounded a string of company directorships Bella appeared to hold, despite being described as a "normal student" and family and friends having no idea about them.
Records showed apparent links to the Far East - with Bella listed as the director of at least two companies with Chinese ties.
Speaking at his home in Billingham, Co
Durham
today, Bella's grandfather said: 'I'm terrified that she's in for a long sentence. I might never see her again - I'm 80 years old.
'She's got sucked into something, somehow. She's not an international drug trafficker.
'It's all just very strange and at the moment we just don't have any answers. We don't know what to think."
He said his granddaughter was 'intelligent' and 'not daft' and would not knowingly have involved herself with
drugs
.
'She was on holiday with some friends, doing what 18-year-olds do - drinking and dancing. They must have met somebody who's taken advantage of her.'
Mr Culley described his granddaughter as a 'normal' 18 year old who lived with her brother and mother in social housing in Billingham.
Mr Culley said: 'She's not daft, she's an intelligent girl. Why has she done it? Has someone dangled money in front of her?
'We just don't know what has gone on until we get out there and talk to her.
15
Bella could be jailed for 20 years if found guilty
Credit: @bellamay.xx / tiktok
15
Mum Lyanne told The Sun that Bella didn't like the party lifestyle
Credit: Facebook
15
Bella had been enjoying her holiday in the South East Asia
Credit: Facebook
Her Georgian lawyer told reporters today: "My client is currently exercising the right to remain silent, so we will provide detailed information later, once they decide how to proceed.
"A formal request must be submitted to the relevant authority, and then more detailed information regarding my client can be provided.
"At this stage, [she is] invoking [her] right to silence, and further developments will be shared later once a decision is made."
Culley's lawyer said: 'The person under my protection is currently exercising the right to silence and, accordingly, I will provide all the detailed information later, when she decides to provide detailed information to the investigative bodies regarding the charges brought against her.'
Bella could face decades behind bars in Georgia's only female prison, Tbilisi Prison number 5.
The prison has been previously criticised for being 'degrading', 'inhuman' and 'an affront to a civilised society' by a European committee.
Bella recently completed an access course at Middlesbrough College and hopes to become a nurse - but first wanted to go travelling.
Before her reappearance in Georgia, Bella's mum Lyanne Kennedy, 44, told The Sun: "Her dad lives in Vietnam, so she's always wanted to see Asia.
'She loves all the touristy stuff, like releasing turtles."
Bella flew out to the Philippines with a friend - and Thailand wasn't even on the agenda to begin with.
But when her pal went to Ibiza, she decided to head in a different direction because "she doesn't drink that much and isn't really into the party lifestyle".
Instead, Bella travelled on to Thailand around May 3.
Lyanne said: "I really didn't want her to go to Thailand.
'I begged her to come home. I don't trust some of the boys over there.
'But she wanted to meet up with some friends she made over there on a previous trip. I don't know who any of them are."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
32 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Doctor who branded Matthew Perry a ‘moron' in sick texts pleads guilty to supplying star with ketamine before death
A DOCTOR has pleaded guilty to giving Matthew Perry ketamine in the month leading up to the Friends star's horrific overdose death. Advertisement 2 Matthew Perry was found floating face down and unresponsive in the hot tub of his home in Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles on October 28, 2023 Credit: Getty 2 Dr Salvador Plasencia became the fourth of the five people charged in connection with Perrys death to plead guilty The California doctor had been charged in the 2023 overdose death of the Friends star. He pleaded guilty today to four counts of illegal distribution of the prescription anesthetic ketamine. The doctor faces up to 40 years in prison when sentenced, prosecutors warned. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos . Advertisement Like us on Facebook at
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Brit mum, 21, charged with drug trafficking in Germany after being caught ‘smuggling cannabis in luggage from Thailand'
A young BRIT mum has been charged with drug trafficking in Germany after allegedly smuggling cannabis from Thailand. , was arrested at Munich Airport on April 22 as she attempted to collect her luggage. Advertisement 8 Cameron Bradford was detained at Munich Airport on April 21 as she tried to collect her luggage 8 The 21-year-old mum has been accused of allegedly smuggling cannabis in her bags 8 Authorities became suspicious of Cameron when she changed her flight to into London Heathrow via Singapore at the last minute - flying to Munich instead. She has been charged with attempted transit of cannabis and abetting the international trafficking of cannabis, authorities said. A family friend said Cameron had travelled to Thailand on her own and posted a photo of the ocean on her Facebook account just days before her arrest. She could be held for at least four months in a German prison while authorities investigate the origins of the cannabis, sources say. Advertisement Read more on World When Cameron, who has a young son, didn't return home on her Heathrow bound flight as expected, her family filed a missing persons report. But the next day the family was alerted to her whereabouts in Germany. Chief prosecutor Anne Leiding of the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office said: 'We can confirm that we are conducting proceedings in this matter. 'The defendant is still in custody.' Advertisement Most read in The Sun Latest Breaking A hearing will take place in Munich District Court on 6 August. Brit 'drug mule' Charlotte May Lee pictured in new mugshot along with huge £1.2m drug haul The prosecution is refusing to discuss the charges or even give a trial date, citing the ongoing investigation. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting a British woman who is detained in Germany and are in contact with her family and the local authorities." In 2024, Germany legalised cannabis for recreational use by adults aged 18 and over. Advertisement But despite a raft of publicity around the law change two essential points were missed. The law does not extend to tourists or non-residents, including Brits. It's also interpreted differently across all of Germany's 16 federal states. And crucially the unauthorised import of cannabis, even for personal use, is strictly illegal and carries a hefty five years in prison. Advertisement SPATE OF DRUG ARRESTS It comes after a British couple claiming to be tourists from Thailand were busted with more than 33kg of cannabis in their suitcases at a Spanish airport. The pair were picked out by suspicious cops at Valencia Airport after displaying a 'nervous and evasive attitude' and are now behind bars on drug trafficking charges. 8 She was detained as she tried to collect her luggage at Munich airport 8 She posted a photo of the ocean on her Facebook account just days before her arrest Advertisement The man and woman, aged 33 and 34, were stopped before reaching customs, with officials later discovering vacuum-packed marijuana and no clothes or personal belongings in their luggage. Cops said the pair will not yet be named but were arrested late on May 5 and hauled to court the next day. Their court appearance, which led to their remand in prison, took place behind-closed-doors as is normal in Spain where only trials are held in public. The two British nationals are not expected to find out for several months now whether they will be formally indicted and face trial. Advertisement A Glamorous Clara Wilson, from Huthwaite, Notts, has been charged with a drug running offence after more than 34 kilos of cannabis was found stuffed in her two suitcases. Elsewhere, Brit Bella May Culley, 18, sparked a massive international search operation in early May after she was reported missing while holidaying in Thailand. However, it was later revealed that the teen, from Billingham, County Durham, had been Advertisement She was allegedly carrying 30 pounds (14kg) of cannabis into the ex-Soviet nation. Around the same time, 21-year-old Charlotte Lee May, from Coulsdon, south London, was also The former flight attendant, facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted, is 8 Brit Charlotte May Lee was arrested in Sri Lanka after allegedly trying to smuggle in drugs Advertisement 8 Student Bella May Culley was arrested in Georgia after allegedly carrying drugs into the country from Thailand 8 OnlyFans model Clara Wilson, from Huthwaite, Notts, has also been charged with a drug running offence
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Dragon's Den star & gold medal-winning athlete took out £100k in fraud loans despite £75k show investment
A DRAGON'S Den winner and former Team GB gold medallist fraudulently used Covid loans to buy himself a £1.8million mansion. Rick Beardsell illegally pocketed £100,000 worth of taxpayers cash to purchase his home - despite receiving a £75,000 investment during his stint on the BBC show. 6 Beardsell received £75,000 in investments after appearing on Dragon's Den Credit: Cavendish 6 The British world sprinting champion illegally pocketed two Covid Bounce Back business loans to buy himself a £1.8m mansion Credit: Cavendish 6 Beardsell was only entitled to apply for one loan worth £50,000, but fraudulently applied for two Credit: Cavendish The 46-year-old fiddled two Covid Bounce Back loans to buy himself five-bed Holly House in the exclusive village of Prestbury, Cheshire. Dad-of-two Beardsell was only entitled to apply for one loan worth £50,000, but fraudulently applied for two and greatly exaggerated his annual turnover by up to 23 times. It came after the world champion sprinter had successfully secured investments from TV Dragons Tej Lalvani and Deborah Meaden for his successful protein shake bottle business , ShakeSphere. Chester Crown Court heard he applied for the loan to prop up his other company, Sports Creative Ltd, but none of the money went towards the sportswear business. Read more in TV Prosecutor Geoff Whealan told the court Beardsell made the fraudulent applications to HSBC in December 2020 and then to NatWest in January 2021. He said: ''The defendant stated on the HSBC form that the turnover of Sports Creative was £485,000 and on the NatWest form said it was £320,000. "But unaudited financial statements showed turnover for the year end February 2020 was £20,622. ''The turnover was clearly exaggerated to secure the maximum bounce back loan. Most read in News TV "Subsequent transactions showed the bounce back loan funds were not being used for the economic benefit or business purposes of Sports Creative at this time.'' The money arrived in Sports Creative's account in January 2021, but then almost £400,000 was transferred to Beardsell's personal Santander account in the space of six months. Then £431,160.80, including the remaining bounce back loan funds, was transferred to a firm of solicitors for the purchase of Holly House he bought with his wife Ezster. Mr Whelan added: ''In effect the bounce back loan funds had been used for this purchase. Shocking moment Dragons' Den winner Ross Mendham smashes £100k Ferrari after ploughing into bike racks in city centre "It can be inferred from the defendant's conduct that it was his intention to use the bounce back loans for this purpose at the time he made the application for it." Beardsell, who won two World Records for sprinting, faced three years in jail after he admitted two charges of fraud. In October 2024, he attended an interview under caution at the Insolvency Services offices. In a statement he said: ''The guidance pertaining to Bounce Back Loans indicated that the proceeds of such loans may be utilised for any purpose that yields a direct benefit to the company. ''At that juncture, I sought professional advice and was advised that such purposes include, but are not limited to, the coverage of overhead expenses or outstanding liabilities, as well as the investment in company assets or property. "The funds that were transferred to my personal account constituted a director's loan and other economical overheads for the business.'' Mitigating, his counsel Nichola Cafferkey explained that the loans had been repaid in full to the banks. She said: ''The loss of his good character is of some significance in respect of a man who has dedicated his life to his family, his professional entities and also his sporting endeavours. "These offences were out of character and were committed four years ago. "He has taken responsibility and repaid the money back. He knows that it's his own fault. "He has brought shame on his family and brought shame on himself. ''His wife is also his business partner and concerns that they have had about the ability to provide financially for their young children have been significant." The court also heard that Beardsell had suffered a series of medical issues both before and after securing the loans. Ms Cafferkey continued: "A year prior to the submission of the first loan application, the defendant was diagnosed with an aggressive form of testicular cancer and required surgery and extensive chemotherapy. "The chemotherapy was successful but led to some significant side effects. ''One of those being vertigo, of which he had a severe episode which required hospitalisation and thereafter there are ongoing long-term issues as a result of that. 6 Beardsell was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years Credit: Cavendish 6 Hundreds of thousands of pounds were transferred to a firm of solicitors for the purchase of Holly House Credit: Cavendish "The investigations brought on by the defendant's own actions has had an impact on his family which has led to a situation where he has been experiencing significant stress over the past few years. "On top of that there are ongoing knee pains associated with his athletic success at national and international level. "He has been running a business for many years without issue and it is plain he is extremely remorseful and regretful for his actions. "The impact on his wife's physical health in terms of stress and strain has been significant. There has been significant weight loss and insomnia. "This will be the only time that Richard Beardsell appears before the court." Beardsell was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £11,142.70. Judge Simon Berkson told Beardsell: "You fraudulently lied and lied again in your applications for these loans. "They were supposed to be for use in keeping your business running but the money was used for your own personal needs and the needs of your family. "This is not a victimless crime. The government was trying to help struggling businesses at the time of national crisis. "People were in lock down, people were dying and people were very ill at the time when people required their public services. "You used fraudulently obtained public funds for your own use, depriving honest people of the scheme's funds when the country was in crisis. "You are a generally successful man both in business and in sports, particularly your involvement with athletics. "You continue to run your business and it was on the TV programme Dragons' Den. "You are a married person with two children and they are young children. You have survived an aggressive form of cancer. "I have concluded that an immediate custodial sentence would have a significant harmful impact on your wife and children.'' 6 He was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £11,142.70 Credit: Cavendish
