The mother of a British TikTok influencer facing a possible firing squad over a murder in Dubai has begged police to find a mystery driver she believes could be a crucial witness. Tess George claims her daughter Brooke said the man turned up at a bar with victim William Treeby, 26.
Accused of murder in Dubai
Brooke George, 23, from Gravesend, Kent, is accused of stabbing William Treeby to death in Dubai after meeting him online and travelling to the Gulf state to be with him. She maintains she acted in self-defence after being repeatedly beaten by him. Brooke is currently being held on remand in the notorious Bur Dubai jail while prosecutors continue their investigation.
Mystery driver could be key
Tess George hopes the mystery man might have witnessed Treeby's behaviour towards Brooke as they drove back to his apartment to retrieve her passport. When asked if police had spoken to the driver, Tess said: "No is the answer. No. No availability, let’s say that." The family believes he could help investigators piece together Brooke's movements before the fatal confrontation.
Frantic phone call home
Heartbroken Tess previously told how Brooke made a frantic phone call home just hours before the horror stabbing, in which she was "absolutely terrified." She said the man unexpectedly drove them to a bar despite the couple previously travelling everywhere alone. Brooke felt "scared" when the man – who she says also lived at Treeby's apartment – began accompanying the couple around the city.
Relationship turned sour
Tess said Brooke first flew to Dubai earlier this year after meeting Treeby online, and he took her to luxury restaurants, beach clubs and beauty spots across the city. She returned to Kent believing she had met "the man of her dreams." However, her demeanour changed when she flew back out last week, and she was no longer happy at the apartment. Tess told The Sun: "There were other people there that lived with him and they were coming in and out and going in and out together. But as far as she knew, that was to do with whatever business he was running out there. There were people talking… conversations that they kept walking out for. The feel of the apartment and the other guys in there, the dynamic felt different."
Government support
A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: "We are supporting a British national detained in the UAE and are in contact with the local authorities and the family." Brooke, a former John Lewis worker, faces the death penalty by firing squad if convicted under Dubai's strict legal system.
