Tess George, the 55-year-old mother of British TikTok influencer Brooke George, has described a frantic phone call from her daughter hours before the fatal stabbing of William Treeby, 26, in Dubai. Brooke George, 23, a former John Lewis worker from Gravesend, Kent, faces a murder charge that could carry the death penalty by firing squad. Even if spared execution, a life sentence offers no chance of parole.
Frantic Phone Call Before the Incident
Tess George revealed that her daughter was “terrified” when she called home from a Dubai bar the day before the incident. “The day before the incident, she wasn't herself. She was quieter than usual but wouldn't tell me why. That evening they went to a bar in Dubai,” Tess told The Sun. “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. I could see one of her eyes was badly swollen and beginning to close.”
Tess, a mother of six, added: “As Brooke's mother, I am deeply concerned for her welfare. The daughter I spoke to that night was utterly terrified. I firmly believe she was trying desperately to get home and away from whatever had happened to her.”
Brooke’s Account of the Relationship
Brooke, who boasts over 100,000 TikTok followers, claims she was lured to the United Arab Emirates by William Treeby, 26. She alleges he promised her a glamorous lifestyle and a modelling career, only to confiscate her passport upon arrival. The couple met online in April, and Brooke originally thought Treeby was the man of her dreams after a luxury trip in May. However, things turned dark when she returned a week later.
Brooke alleges that Treeby assaulted her in a car after a night out at Caffreys Bar in Jumeirah Village, before continuing the attack at his flat, where she had gone to retrieve her passport. She claims she used a kitchen knife in self-defence. She was arrested at Dubai airport on Monday while attempting to board a flight to London.
Conditions in Detention
Brooke is currently being held at Bur Dubai police station. Her family claims she has been denied access to a lawyer, crammed into a ten-woman cell, forced to strip naked in front of male officers, and left unable to understand proceedings due to a language barrier. Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, is backing the influencer and warned that the case highlights a “disturbing pattern” of young British women being exploited under the guise of luxury romance.
Stirling said: “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. We will ensure her rights are protected and that she receives a fair trial.”
Official Response and Family Reactions
The Foreign Office said: “We are in touch with a British woman detained in the UAE. We are supporting her family and are in contact with the local authorities.” Meanwhile, Treeby's family have taken to social media to mourn his death. His sister Esther wrote: “He was not only my brother but my best friend. I love you, my Bill. Forever 26.” His mother, Karen, added: “My darling son, I'm broken. Rest in forever peace, my Bill. You will be so missed and loved by us all. We will never forget you and will keep your memory alive always.”
