UK4 min(s) read
Published 10:58 26 Jun 2026 GMT
A British influencer accused of murder in Dubai is facing the possibility of the death penalty, with supporters claiming a "major red flag" emerged long before the fatal incident.
Brooke George, 23, from Gravesend, Kent, has been charged over the death of 26-year-old British national Bill Treeby. George denies murder and maintains she acted in self-defense after allegedly falling victim to repeated physical abuse.
The former department store employee is being held at Bur Dubai prison while the case proceeds through the UAE legal system. If convicted, she could face the death penalty.
Human rights organization Detained in Dubai is urging authorities to investigate the case as one involving alleged domestic violence rather than treating George solely as a murder suspect.
Its chief executive, Radha Stirling, said: "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."
According to George, she met Treeby through Facebook before the pair travelled together to Dubai. She said their first trip was "the time of my life."
However, she claims his behavior changed dramatically during a second visit.
George alleges he became controlling and abusive, and says she later discovered he had only booked her a one-way ticket to Dubai, leaving her anxious to return home.
She claims that after an evening at McCafferty's Bar in Jumeirah Village, he assaulted her inside a car before the violence continued back at their apartment.
Her family says George phoned them in a state of panic after being punched several times.
They say she managed to arrange a flight back to the UK with help from friends before returning to the apartment, only to collect her passport.
According to her relatives, she was crying and pleading for the document when she was allegedly attacked again.
George says she feared for her life and grabbed a kitchen knife in self-defence.
She was arrested at Dubai Airport during the early hours of June 22 and charged with murder.
Stirling argues the case reflects a broader pattern of women allegedly being lured to Dubai with promises of luxury before experiencing abuse.
"Brooke maintains that she acted only after being subjected to a violent assault and in genuine fear for her safety," she claimed.
"She should be treated not merely as an accused person, but as a presumed victim of violence whose allegations and documented injuries deserve proper investigation."
She added: "We will be working to ensure that her rights are protected, that she receives a fair trial, and that the circumstances leading to this tragedy are fully and impartially examined."
Stirling also claimed there has been an increase in reports involving influencers and young women allegedly being recruited under false pretences.
"International organisations and law enforcement agencies have documented cases in which women were recruited under false pretences for the purpose of exploitation, including trafficking," she said.
"Those closest to Brooke became increasingly concerned that she may have been lured to Dubai under false pretences for the purpose of exploitation."
"We are calling for Brooke to be released on bail pending the outcome of the investigation. The authorities must investigate Brooke's allegations with the same seriousness as the allegation against her."
She also said witnesses reportedly observed visible injuries following the incident.
"Rather than treating Brooke solely as a murder suspect, investigators must also examine her being the victim of serious violence and possible exploitation," Stirling said.
"She should be afforded protection, appropriate medical care, legal representation and immediate British consular assistance while the investigation proceeds."
One detail from George's first visit that has also been highlighted as what Stirling described as a "major red flag."
According to Detained in Dubai, Treeby arranged a professional bikini photoshoot for George during her first trip, despite it not being something she had requested — information that is believed to be a major red flag.
"It's a bit strange to be paying for a professional photographer for her bikini shots – it's not something she wanted or asked for," Stirling said.
4 min(s) read
.webp_QQJmGo?tr=cr-345.0.1535.1190,f-webp,q-70,w-1024)
world4 min(s) read
Published 10:30 25 Jun 2026 GMT
A British TikTok influencer has been charged with murder in Dubai and could face the death penalty by firing squad if convicted, according to campaign group Detained in Dubai.
Brooke George, 23, from Gravesend, Kent, is accused of fatally stabbing a British man with a kitchen knife after the pair met on Facebook. According to Detained in Dubai, George says she acted in self-defence after being attacked.
George is being held at Bur Dubai jail after she was arrested in the early hours of June 22. She was detained at Dubai International Airport as she attempted to return to the UK following the incident.
Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, said: “She reached for a knife after being attacked. Authorities must treat her as a domestic violence survivor while they investigate.”
She added: “The former John Lewis worker is defending a murder charge in the UAE after an altercation with British man she met on Facebook. Her world has been shattered and her family left in tears.”
George's family say she contacted them in a state of panic after being physically assaulted. They say she arranged a flight home and returned to the apartment to collect her passport before she was attacked again.
Her mother, Thereza George, said in a statement released by Detained in Dubai: “After Brooke returned to Dubai for the second time, the dynamic between them had clearly changed.
“The day before the incident, she did not seem like herself. She was quieter and not her usual happy, cheerful self, but she did not 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 in my life. She was crying uncontrollably. I could see that one of her eyes was badly swollen and was 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 desperately trying to get home and away from whatever had happened to her.”
Stirling said: “Brooke maintains that she acted only after being subjected to a violent assault and in genuine fear for her safety. We will be working to ensure that her rights are protected, that she receives a fair trial, and that the circumstances leading to this tragedy are fully and impartially examined.
“Over recent years, there have been increasing reports of women, including social media influencers, models and young travellers, being lured to Dubai with promises of luxury lifestyles, paid work, holidays or romantic relationships, only to later allege that they were subjected to forced attendance at porta-potty parties, sexual exploitation, coercion, violence or other degrading treatment.
“Those closest to Brooke became increasingly concerned that she may have been lured to Dubai under false pretences for the purpose of exploitation.
“Their concerns were fuelled by his unexplained change in behaviour, the one way ticket, the bikini clad professional photo shoot arranged during her first visit, the alleged withholding of her passport, Brooke telling friends that 'things weren't right', and her growing fear that she needed to escape.
"Brooke reported seeing disturbing videos on his computer and being assaulted by him before the fatal incident.
“Given these allegations, we urge the UAE authorities to preserve and forensically examine all electronic devices, computers, mobile phones, online accounts and digital communications connected with the deceased and any associates, to determine whether Brooke was targeted for exploitation and whether others may also have been victims.
“We are calling for Brooke to be released on bail pending the outcome of the investigation.
“Multiple witnesses observed visible injuries immediately after the incident. Rather than treating Brooke solely as a murder suspect, investigators must also examine her being the victim of serious violence and possible exploitation. She should be afforded protection, appropriate medical care, legal representation and immediate British consular assistance while the investigation proceeds.”
uk4 min(s) read
Published 14:30 25 Jun 2026 GMT
The mother of a British influencer accused of murdering a man in Dubai has spoken of her fears as her daughter faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted.
Brooke George, 23, from Gravesend, Kent, has been charged with the murder of 26-year-old Bill Treeby after the pair travelled to Dubai following an online relationship. George is accused of fatally stabbing Treeby but claims she acted in self-defence after being repeatedly assaulted.
The former John Lewis shop assistant is being held at Bur Dubai prison while the case is investigated. Human rights group Detained in Dubai is calling for authorities to treat the case as one involving alleged domestic abuse and is urging that she be released on bail pending the outcome of the investigation.
According to George, she met the man on Facebook before travelling to Dubai with him. She described their first trip together as the "time of my life", but claimed his behavior changed dramatically during a second visit.
George alleges he became increasingly controlling and abusive and discovered he had only booked her a one-way ticket, leaving her desperate to return to the UK. After an evening at McCafferty's Bar in Jumeirah Village, she claims he assaulted her in the car before continuing the attack back at their apartment.
Her family say she later arranged a flight home with help from friends and returned to the apartment only to collect her passport. They claim she was crying and pleading for it to be returned when she was punched in the face again.
George says she feared for her life and reached for a kitchen knife that was within reach, acting in self-defence. She was arrested at Dubai Airport in the early hours of June 22 and charged with murder.
George's mother, Thereza, said per BBC News: “After Brooke returned to Dubai for the second time, the dynamic between them had clearly changed.
“The day before the incident, she did not seem like herself. She was quieter and not her usual happy, cheerful self, but she did not 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 in my life. She was crying uncontrollably.
“I could see that one of her eyes was badly swollen and was 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 desperately trying to get home and away from whatever had happened to her.”
The family also alleges George has been forced to strip naked in front of officers without a female officer present and has struggled to understand the legal process because of the language barrier. Detained in Dubai claims she was denied access to the British embassy and made statements without a lawyer present.
Detained in Dubai CEO Radha Stirling said: “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 also said: “Brooke maintains that she acted only after being subjected to a violent assault and in genuine fear for her safety.
“She should be treated not merely as an accused person, but as a presumed victim of violence whose allegations and documented injuries deserve proper investigation.
“We will be working to ensure that her rights are protected, that she receives a fair trial, and that the circumstances leading to this tragedy are fully and impartially examined.”
Stirling added: “International organisations and law enforcement agencies have documented cases in which women were recruited under false pretences for the purpose of exploitation, including trafficking.
“Those closest to Brooke became increasingly concerned that she may have been lured to Dubai under false pretences for the purpose of exploitation.
“We are calling for Brooke to be released on bail pending the outcome of the investigation. The authorities must investigate Brooke’s allegations with the same seriousness as the allegation against her.”
She continued: “Rather than treating Brooke solely as a murder suspect, investigators must also examine her being the victim of serious violence and possible exploitation.
“She should be afforded protection, appropriate medical care, legal representation and immediate British consular assistance while the investigation proceeds.”
An FCDO spokesperson said: “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.”
world3 min(s) read
Published 13:28 25 Jun 2026 GMT
A young British woman is facing the death penalty in Dubai after being charged with murdering a man she claims she stabbed in self-defence.
Brooke George, 23, from Kent, travelled to Dubai after meeting the British man on Facebook.
The ex-department store assistant is now being held in the notoriously tough Bur Dubai prison after she was accused of killing the man with a kitchen knife following an altercation at an apartment after the pair returned from a night out at Caffreys Bar in Jumeirah Village.
Reportedly, George claimed that after she was attacked, she reached "for a kitchen knife within her grasp" and "acted in self-defence".
The influencer, with almost 100,000 followers on TikTok, is believed to have organized a flight home but was arrested at Dubai International Airport as she attempted to leave the country in the early hours of Monday, June 22.
George’s family is being represented by a pressure organisation, Detained in Dubai, which is urging authorities to treat the incident as a domestic abuse case and to release George on bail pending an investigation, after she claimed she was denied legal representation and subjected to humiliating treatment in custody.
According to her family, George claims that she was denied a lawyer and "forced to strip naked in front of male officers, without any female officers present". She described the experience as "deeply humiliating and distressing, breaking down in tears when recounting it to her family".
In a statement released by Detained in Dubai, George's mother, Thereza, said: “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 desperately trying to get home and away from whatever had happened to her.”
CEO of Detained in Dubai, Radha Stirling, said, "We will be working to ensure that [George's] rights are protected, that she receives a fair trial, and that the circumstances leading to this tragedy are fully and impartially examined.”
She also drew attention to human rights violations that the people her organization represent are allegedly subjected to, saying, "Over recent years, there have been increasing reports of women, including social media influencers, models and young travellers, being lured to Dubai with promises of luxury lifestyles, paid work, holidays or romantic relationships, only to later allege that they were subjected to forced attendance at porta-potty parties, sexual exploitation, coercion, violence or other degrading treatment.
"International organisations and law enforcement agencies have documented cases in which women were recruited under false pretences for the purpose of exploitation, including trafficking."
world4 min(s) read
Published 12:31 05 Mar 2026 GMT
A British woman from Liverpool could face the possibility of life in prison after being arrested in Dubai on suspicion of drug-related offences.
According to the Liverpool Echo, 25-year-old Antonia Bettridge relocated to Dubai in November 2023, where she had been working as a sports coach and personal trainer.
Her arrest has raised concern among family members and legal advocates, particularly as strict drug laws in the United Arab Emirates can carry severe penalties.
Legal representatives from the organisation Detained In Dubai, which supports individuals facing legal issues in the country, say Bettridge has been arrested on suspicion of “possession of narcotics with intent to promote.” Under Dubai law, the charge can lead to heavy financial penalties and potentially a life sentence.
Bettridge’s mother has spoken publicly about the situation, describing the emotional strain the family is facing as they wait for updates about their daughter, per The Mirror.
"Antonia’s whole life revolves around fitness and healthy living," her mum said.
"She doesn’t live a party lifestyle. She moved to Dubai to build something positive for herself. We are devastated and just want clarity about what has happened."
The family says the situation has become even more distressing due to ongoing tensions in the region, which have made communication more difficult.
"With everything happening in the region at the moment, it is incredibly frightening knowing our daughter is in detention and we cannot reach her.
"We are worried sick. We just want her to be safe and to have the opportunity to prepare her defence properly."
Detained In Dubai has also pointed out that authorities in the UAE do not necessarily require proof that someone intended to sell or distribute drugs in order to pursue charges related to promotion.
Radha Stirling, head of Detained In Dubai, highlighted how current regional instability is increasing anxiety for families whose loved ones are already in detention.
Stirling said: "When there is regional instability or security incidents, families naturally become even more concerned about loved ones who are already in a vulnerable situation."
The concerns come at a time when tensions in the region have escalated. The Khaleej Times reports that Iran has launched retaliatory strikes on the UAE, resulting in three deaths and 94 injuries.
Airports including Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Airport and Dubai International Airport have been targeted during missile and drone strikes, which have disrupted flights.
In response, the UK Foreign Office has advised British nationals in the UAE to remain indoors and avoid standing near windows.
Stirling also called for authorities to consider allowing Bettridge to prepare her case while outside of detention.
Stirling said: "It reinforces why allowing defendants to prepare their cases from outside detention, where appropriate, is so important.
"We hope the FCDO supports her application for bail pending any trial at the very least."
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office confirmed officials are aware of the situation.
"We are supporting a British woman detained in the UAE and are in contact with the local authorities."
The Liverpool Echo also reported that Bettridge had previously appeared before Liverpool Crown Court in September 2023.
During that case, she was convicted of possessing criminal property after police discovered £8,000 in the glove box of her vehicle.
Officers had originally pulled her over in 2021, during which she claimed she was not carrying any money. However, police later found £610 inside her handbag along with thousands of pounds stored in her car.
Investigators later discovered she had driven around 170 miles from her then home in Dentons Green to a service station near Bristol before beginning the return journey.
After admitting the offence of possessing criminal property, Bettridge was handed a 12-month community order. The sentence included 75 hours of unpaid work and a requirement to pay £1,200 in court costs.
uk3 min(s) read
Published 16:04 08 Sep 2025 GMT
A British woman has been sentenced to life in prison in Dubai after what her family describes as a “very stupid mistake.”
Mia O’Brien, 23, from Huyton in Liverpool, is being held in Dubai’s Central Prison following her conviction earlier this year.
Her mother, Danielle McKenna, has spoken publicly about her devastation and the conditions her daughter now faces.
In a now-deleted GoFundMe, Danielle said: "I haven't seen my daughter since last October. Mia is only 23 years old and has never done a bad thing in her life.
"This is a young girl, who went to university to do law, and unfortunately got mixed up in the wrong so-called friends and made a very stupid mistake and is now paying the price."
The family initially launched the fundraiser to help cover Mia’s legal fees and travel costs to visit her in the UAE, but the page was later taken down.
Before it was removed, Danielle wrote: "I just want to thank everyone for their donations so far, this money will be used to send to my daughter Mia, and also for any legal fees that may arise, and maybe even to go towards getting family over to Dubai to see her, as none of us have seen Mia since last October, so thank you all so much."
The fundraiser was taken down, having raised £700, The Sun reports.
A spokesperson for GoFundMe told the outlet that "it was removed because it violates Term 9 of the Prohibited Conduct section in our Terms of Service."
"Term 9 prohibits raising funds on GoFundMe for the legal defence of certain alleged crimes," they explained.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Danielle added: "She's just been transferred to another prison after getting a life sentence. It's been a massive shock." She also described her daughter as “going through it” behind bars.
In the UAE, a life sentence for a non-Emirati citizen generally means 25 years in prison, followed by deportation. While Mia’s family has not publicly confirmed the exact charges she was convicted of, life sentences in Dubai are typically handed down for crimes such as drug trafficking and possession, human trafficking, murder or attempted murder, and terrorism-related offenses.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has repeatedly warned British nationals about strict laws in the UAE, particularly regarding drug-related offenses. It states that authorities “count the presence of drugs in the blood stream as possession.”
The guidance also cautions: "The penalties for trafficking, smuggling, using and possessing illegal drugs (including residual amounts) are severe. Sentences for drug trafficking can include the death penalty."
For now, Mia remains in prison as her family continues to push for support and look for options to bring her back to the UK.
.webp_SmgFsc?tr=cr-292.0.1244.952,f-webp,q-70,w-1024)
.webp_SmgFsc?tr=cr-292.0.1244.952,f-webp,q-70,w-100)
.webp_QQJmGo?tr=cr-345.0.1535.1190,f-webp,q-70,w-100)