British comedian facing three years in Turkish prison for ‘forgetting to pay’ in Zara

A British comedian has been detained in Turkey and faces up to three years in prison after accidentally leaving a shop without paying.

Cerys Nelmes, an actor and stand-up comedian from Bristol, was on holiday in Istanbul earlier this month when she decided to go clothes shopping at a local Zara store.

However, the Brit made the mistake of 'forgetting to pay' for her items and walked out of the store. After realising her mistake, Cerys claims she did the right thing and returned to the shop and offered to pay – only to be arrested by local police on charges of shoplifting.

She has now been released from custody after spending 24 hours behind bars without 'food or toilet facilities', but has been banned from leaving Turkey by a judge while investigations continue.

The mum was arrested after leaving a shop after forgetting to pay (NewsFlash/News X)

Sharing her ordeal on social media, Cerys wrote: "On Tuesday [22 July] I left a Zara store in Istanbul without paying for items.

"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."

However, the comedian went on to claim that she was then locked in a room at the store for three hours before being taken to a local police station and asked to sign documents in a language she wasn't able to 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." she added.

Cerys' ordeal doesn't end there either, as she could spend up to three years behind bars and fears losing her home back in the UK as she is currently unable to work.

Unable to afford accommodation while her case is investigated, Cerys has been taken in by a local family and thanked everyone for support in an update.

She now faces up to three years behind bars (NewsFlash/News X)

"I am ok and have been taken in by a Turkish family who have given me a bed and food." she said.

"I don't deserve all the kind words from people but I am very grateful."

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has since addressed Cerys' case in a brief statement, saying: "We are providing support to a British national in Turkey."

Cerys isn't the only Brit to find themselves falling foul of the law while visiting Turkey in recent months, with Rochdale mum Georgia Harrison banned from exiting the Eurasian nation last month after a drunken celebration for her boyfriend's new veneers led to a hotel room being damaged.