British teen accused of drug smuggling told 'substantial' sum would free her

A British teenager on trial in Georgia for drug smuggling has been told a "substantial" sum of money is needed to free her or reduce her sentence.

Bella Culley, 19, from Billingham, Teesside, had previously been told she could face up to 20 years in jail or life imprisonment if convicted.

Tbilisi City Court heard defence and prosecution teams were negotiating the terms of a bargain which would see the teenager freed for a sum of money with "many zeros", understood to be in Georgian Lari.

During the hearing the teenager smiled at her family, telling them: "I love you."

Miss Culley appeared in court wearing a black t-shirt and trousers and looking visibly pregnant.

The prosecutor argued she posed a flight risk and could reoffend if allowed bail.

Judge Giorgi Gelashvili ruled that she will remain in custody until the next hearing on 9 October unless an agreement is reached sooner.

Miss Culley initially went missing in Thailand before being arrested at Tbilisi International Airport on 10 May.

It is understood she arrived on a flight from Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates.

Georgian Police said officers seized narcotic drugs from a travel bag.

Miss Culley was detained for months while the prosecution investigated where the 12kg (26lbs) of marijuana and 2kg (4.4lbs) of hashish came from, and whether she was planning to hand them over to someone else.

She had previously claimed she had been "forced to do this through torture".

"I just wanted to travel," she said. "I am a good person. I am a student at university. I am a clean person. I don't do drugs."