Comic cannot leave the country while shoplifting case is investigated

Comedian Cerys Nelmes is facing up to three years in a Turkish prison on shoplifting charges.

The stand-up said she accidentally walked out of a Zara store in Istanbul with clothes before realising she hadn't paid. She says she then returned and offered to pay but was detained and accused of shoplifting.

A judge has now ordered her to remain in Turkey while the case is investigated 

In a post on social media, Nelmes explained: ‘I returned straight away and handed the items to staff. I was asked to pay and I said I would and the manager accepted this.

‘To cut a long story short I was then taken to a locked room where hours later after no communication from anyone I was taken away by police and held in a police station and was asked to sign things I couldn't read.

‘I was put in a prison cell for 24 hours with no food or toilet facilities. When I asked for water, I was told they didn't understand me.

‘I was handcuffed and taken for fingerprints and mugshots at 3am I was handcuffed and taken to court the following day and put in a cell.’

She was brought in front of a judge the next day, who freed her, but barred her from leaving Turkey pending investigation. She must report to a police station every Monday.

He told Nelmes she was ‘lucky to not be put in prison’, and told her of the possible three-year jail term.

Since the story broke, Turkish news outlet EkolTV has posted CCTV footage of the incident online, saying it shows her walking out of the store in the Mecidiyeköy mall with around £120 worth of goods in her bag, when a member of staff spotted her and called her back into the shop.

The comic – a former firefighter from the Cotswolds – told her social media followers: ‘I am OK and have been taken in by a Turkish family who have given me a bed and food’ and who are helping translate the paperwork.

‘I have no money, no earnings coming in from home, and I am running out of important medication. I will lose my home which I share with my son, and livelihood.’

She was bombarded with support from friends and fellow commedians after sharing the details on Facebook, and added:  ‘I don't deserve all the kind words from people but I am very grateful.’

Nelmes is a regular on the comedy circuit and also works as a TV warm-up, on cruise ships, and for the military, and was the last ever comedian to perform in Afghanistan before British forces withdrew. 

The British Embassy says it is offering support.

Published: 29 Jul 2025