British comedian and actress Cerys Nelmes has finally returned to the United Kingdom after being stranded in Turkey for five months. The 47-year-old was prevented from leaving the country following an accusation that she stole clothing worth £110 from a Zara store in Istanbul.
A Summer Ordeal Begins with a Store Visit
The incident that sparked the lengthy ordeal occurred on 22 July. Nelmes was accused of taking garments from a Zara branch in Istanbul, with staff allegedly finding items stuffed inside her white backpack. The mother-of-one has consistently maintained that the situation was a misunderstanding, stating she absentmindedly walked out of the store before paying for her intended purchases during the summer heat.
She claims she returned immediately to hand back the items and offered to pay, but was instead detained. According to her account, she was locked in a room for hours without explanation before being arrested for shoplifting.
Detention and a Fight for Freedom
Nelmes described a harrowing experience following the accusation. She told The Sun she was taken to a police station, pressured to sign documents in Turkish—a language she does not understand—and held in a cell for 24 hours. She alleges she was given no food, had no proper toilet, and was only given water after eight hours of begging.
"My bed had bugs and all sorts in it, it was just horrible," she said. The following day, she appeared before a judge who released her but imposed a ban on leaving Turkey, leaving her facing up to three years in prison if convicted.
Her ordeal only ended on Tuesday when a Turkish judge overturned the travel ban, allowing her to return home. She landed at Bristol Airport yesterday, where she emotionally burst into tears upon being greeted by three close friends.
Life on Hold and Reflections on Justice
For five months, Nelmes's life was in limbo. She relied on the kindness of Turkish friends for shelter and food, while her income and career in the UK ground to a halt. She expressed fear of losing her home, which she shares with her son, and running out of vital medication.
Reflecting on the treatment she received, Nelmes stated to The Sun: "As a British citizen it should not be allowed for me to be treated in such an inhumane manner. I will never be the same."
Known for roles in BBC's Casualty and JK Rowling's The Casual Vacancy, Nelmes had previously made headlines in 2019 for saving a diner from choking in a Bedfordshire restaurant. Her return to Bristol marks the close of a distressing chapter, though the legal matter in Turkey may remain unresolved.
