A British TikTok influencer, charged with the murder of a man in Dubai, alleges she was enticed to the region with the promise of a lavish lifestyle and a modeling career, only to have her passport taken away.
Brooke George, 23, previously employed as a shop assistant for John Lewis in Gravesend, is accused of fatally stabbing the 26-year-old fellow Briton in his upscale apartment using a kitchen knife.
The Daily Mail has identified the man as William Treeby, also a native of Kent. However, the Foreign Office has indicated that local authorities have not yet formally identified the victim.
Reports suggest that his death followed an alleged assault. The human rights organization Detained in Dubai claims that George was punched before she allegedly defended herself by grabbing a kitchen knife, ultimately leading to his fatal stabbing.
Treeby’s family expressed their devastation over his death through heartfelt tributes. His sister, Esther, shared on social media, “He was not only my brother but my best friend. I love you, my Bill.”
Miss George’s loved ones say she met the 26-year-old during an earlier trip to Dubai in May after striking up a relationship on Facebook. Mr Treeby, who appears to have driven a Rolls-Royce, was ‘very nice’ to her and arranged a professional photoshoot of her posing on a beach in front of the city skyline.
But on her return to the UAE in June, she is said to have accused him of booking her a one-way ticket, taking her passport and launching a violent attack when she asked for it back and tried to return to the UK.
Her mother has said her ‘absolutely terrified’ daughter was ‘desperate to get home and away from whatever had happened to her’.
Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, is supporting Miss George and claims she faces the death penalty.
‘She reached for a knife after being attacked and punched in the face. Authorities must treat her as a domestic violence survivor while they investigate,’ she said.
Miss George was arrested as she tried to board a flight back to Britain three days ago.
A Foreign Office spokesman said today: ‘We are in touch with a British woman detained in the UAE, we are supporting her family, and we are in contact with the local authorities.’
Brooke George, 23, a former John Lewis shop assistant from Gravesend, is accused of killing a 26-year-old fellow Brit she met online with a kitchen knife. She claims he was kind when they first met but on her second visit confiscated her passport
The Daily Mail understands the man she is accused of murdering is William Treeby, pictured, who is also originally from Kent but lives in Dubai
British TikTok influencer Brooke George has been thrown in jail in Dubai, according to a human rights group
Brooke claims she was swept off her feet by the man on her first trip to the emirate – but on the second she says he took her passport and became controlling and violent
Brooke’s family claim she was first wooed by the man she stabbed to death before being exploited by him, alleging he prevented her from returning to the UK.
Ms Stirling said Brooke is being held in custody at the Bur Dubai Police Station and should be granted bail by authorities in the emirate.
‘Her world has been shattered and her family left in tears,’ she added.
Ms Stirling said the case reflects a disturbing pattern of young British women being lured to Dubai with promises of romance and luxury, only to be exploited – sometimes sexually.
Brooke’s mother says her daughter was changed and terrified by her experience in Dubai, where she is now in custody
Brooke’s mother, Thereza George, said she spoke to her daughter before and after the stabbing.
She said: ‘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.
‘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.
‘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.’
Campaigners say Brooke met the 26-year-old man during an earlier trip, when he allegedly arranged a photoshoot and appeared ‘very nice’.
But on her return, he is accused of taking her passport and launching a violent attack.
She claims he assaulted her in a car after a night out at Caffreys Bar in Jumeirah Village before continuing the attack at his flat.
Fearing for her life, Brooke says she grabbed a kitchen knife ‘within her grasp’ and stabbed him.
She took back her passport, left the flat and later tried to flee the UAE but was arrested at Dubai airport and charged with murder.
Brooke is now being held in custody at Bur Dubai Police Station.
Her family claim she was forced to strip naked in front of male officers, denied legal representation and left unable to understand proceedings due to a language barrier.
Brooke apparently fell for the man after he wooed her on her first trip to Dubai, where he also organised a photoshoot for her in the city including this shot on a beach
Brooke claims the man she stabbed was initially very kind and loving but changed when she visited him for a second time
Brooke’s family insist that she was ‘terrified’ and acted in self defence
They say she had earlier raised the alarm with loved ones in the UK after discovering he had only booked her a one-way ticket and had become controlling and abusive.
Friends helped her arrange a flight home – but she returned to the flat to retrieve her passport, where she alleges she was punched again.
Ms Stirling said the case highlights growing concerns around influencers and young women being ‘lured’ to the emirate under false pretenses.
She said: ‘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.’
She added that there have been increasing reports of women being drawn to Dubai with promises of luxury lifestyles, paid work or romance – only to later allege sexual exploitation, coercion and violence.
‘Those closest to Brooke feared she had been targeted,’ she said.
‘Their concerns were fuelled by his sudden change in behaviour, the one-way ticket, the photoshoot, the alleged withholding of her passport and her growing fear she needed to escape.’
Ms Stirling also called on UAE authorities to examine all devices and communications linked to the man to determine whether others may have been victims.
‘Multiple witnesses saw visible injuries immediately after the incident,’ she said.
‘Investigators must consider the possibility Brooke was a victim of serious violence, not just a suspect – and ensure she receives medical care, legal support and immediate British consular assistance.’