Bella's solicitor slams the British embassy over aid

THE solicitor representing pregnant Teesside teenager Bella May Culley has criticised the British embassy in Georgia.

- By SIMON MURPHY and JOHN ROGAN

The 19-year-old is facing a potential life sentence after allegedly smuggling illegal substances into the country, though a possible plea bargain could secure her release.

Her legal representative has now claimed the British embassy has failed to provide adequate assistance to his client. Malkhaz Salakaia told the BBC he was “dissatisfied” with the British authorities for not supporting his client.

Bella, who is about five months pregnant, has received no embassy visits since her family secured legal representation. Nor has it supplied any written references, he stated.

The Foreign Office confirmed it was in dialogue with Bella’s family but acknowledged just one face-to-face prison visit had taken place on May 16 - according to the BBC.