The mother of a British influencer accused of killing her boyfriend in Dubai has pleaded with authorities not to execute her daughter. Brooke George, 23, is charged with murder after stabbing William Treeby, 26, and currently shares a cell with nine other women, facing possible death by firing squad.
Claims of Self-Defence
Ms George alleges she was lured to the United Arab Emirates by Mr Treeby, who promised a life of luxury and modelling work before confiscating her passport. She says she stabbed him with a kitchen knife in self-defence after he turned violent when she booked a flight back to the UK. She was arrested last Monday while trying to board a flight to London and has been charged with murder. Even if she avoids the death penalty, a murder conviction carries a life sentence with no parole.
Mother's Account
Her mother, Tess George, told The Sun that her daughter was “terrified” during a phone call hours before the incident. “The day before the incident, she wasn't herself. She was quieter than usual but wouldn't tell me why,” Mrs George said. “That evening they went to a bar in Dubai. When I spoke to Brooke right after the incident, she was absolutely terrified. I have never seen my daughter so frightened. She was crying uncontrollably and I could see one of her eyes was badly swollen and beginning to close.” She added, “I firmly believe she was trying desperately to get home and away from whatever had happened to her.”
Legal and Welfare Concerns
Mrs George reports that her daughter has not been given access to a lawyer since her arrest. She has launched a Crowdfunding page aiming to raise £75,000 for legal costs. Detained in Dubai, a support group, claims Ms George was “forced to strip naked in front of male officers, without any female officers present,” in a “deeply humiliating and distressing” ordeal, and could not understand proceedings due to a language barrier.
Relationship and Incident Details
Ms George, from Gravesend, Kent, began speaking with Mr Treeby online in April, then flew to Dubai in May. Her mother recalled that her daughter believed Mr Treeby was the “man of her dreams,” but things quickly deteriorated. Ms George claims Mr Treeby assaulted her in a car after a night out at Caffreys Bar in Jumeirah Village, then continued the attack at his apartment. It was there, while retrieving her passport, that the fatal stabbing occurred. Airport security detained her after noticing her injuries.
Support and Family Tributes
Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said Ms George may face a firing squad if convicted. She noted the case highlights a pattern of young British women being lured to Dubai with promises of romance and luxury, only to be exploited. “Authorities must treat her as a domestic violence survivor while they investigate. Brooke maintains she acted in genuine fear for her safety after a violent assault,” Stirling said. Mr Treeby's family paid tribute on social media. His mother Karen wrote, “My darling son, I'm broken. Rest in forever peace, my Bill.” His sister Esther said, “He was not only my brother but my best friend.” A Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed they are in touch with the detained woman and supporting her family.
