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.

Family says she was trying to leave Dubai

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.”

Campaign group calls for bail

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.

Brooke George has been accused of fatally stabbing a man. Credit: Instagram / Brooke George

“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.”

Featured image credit: Instagram / Brooke George

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".

Brooke George was reportedly strip-searched by male police officers. Credit: Instagram / Brooke George

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.

The influencer says she was forced to strip naked by male police officers

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.”

Brooke George has been accused of fatally stabbing a man. Credit: Instagram / Brooke George

A pressure group believes she was coerced into a dangerous situation

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."

Featured image credit: Instagram / Brooke George

The mother of a 23-year-old British woman who was sentenced to life in prison in Dubai has issued a new public plea for help.

As previously reported, Danielle McKenna has not seen her daughter, Mia O’Brien, since October last year after she was handed a life sentence.

Mckenna launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for Mia's legal fees and family travel costs to the United Arab Emirates, writing: “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," she added.

GoFundMe later removed the fundraiser because it violated its policies. In a statement to The Sun, they explained: “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.”

Despite the removal, McKenna has since taken to Facebook to continue her fundraising efforts directly.

“I am going to set up my own, as they [GoFundMe] are nitpicking at everything... I would just like to thank everyone,” she wrote, sharing her bank details with supporters.

According to the outlet, Mia was allegedly found with 50g of cocaine and was arrested along with her friend and the friend’s boyfriend. The trio was charged with drug dealing, and the law student was convicted by a judge after a one-day hearing on July 25

She was allegedly fined a staggering $27K by the court before being transferred to Dubai Central Prison, also known as Al-Awir.

McKenna opened up about her daughter's imprisonment with Daily Mail, sharing: “She’s going through it at the minute. She’s just been transferred to another prison after getting a life sentence. It’s been a massive shock,” she said.

She added: “She was crying on the phone and saying, ‘Oh mum – please forgive me.’ I definitely don’t think she was going to sell the drugs or bring them back. It’s a lot of drugs but there are others involved, and she has just been caught up in it."

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirmed it is in contact with O’Brien’s family and the Emirati authorities. A spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman detained in the UAE and are in contact with the local authorities.”

On its website, the FCDO stresses the UAE’s uncompromising stance on drugs: “There is zero tolerance for drug-related offences. The penalties for trafficking, smuggling, using and possessing illegal drugs (including residual amounts) are severe. Sentences for drug trafficking can include the death penalty.”

The warning adds that even trace amounts detected in the bloodstream count as possession, and that products like herbal highs and CBD oil are banned. Penalties include a minimum three-month prison sentence or fines of up to 100,000 dirham ($27,000+).

McKenna said her focus now is on staying connected to her daughter and finding support to get through what she described as a devastating ordeal.

Featured image credit: Facebook

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.

Family says they are ‘worried sick’ as woman remains detained

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.

Antonia Bettridge could face life in prison. Credit: Facebook

Legal experts call for bail as regional tensions grow

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."

Antonia Bettridge was arrested in Dubai. Credit: Dblight / Getty

Previous court case in the UK revealed by Liverpool Echo

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.

Featured image credit: Facebook

There is a new update in the case of the 23‑year‑old British law student who was sentenced to life imprisonment in Dubai after being found with 50 grams of cocaine.

Mia O’Brien, from Huyton in Merseyside, was convicted on July 25, after a one‑day trial conducted in Arabic, according to her mother, Danielle McKenna. Her mother claims Mia pleaded not guilty but was sentenced to life behind bars and fined £100,000. 

She is now held in Dubai’s Central Prison, which is well known for extreme overcrowding and harsh conditions. 

Mia had been studying law at the University of Liverpool and hoped to qualify as a solicitor or lawyer before her arrest, her mother says. Danielle insists Mia never used drugs before and had no intent to traffic them. 

Prison conditions and life behind bars

According to Danielle, Mia is sharing a small cell with six others and has to sleep on a mattress on the floor. 

She says there is minimal supervision by staff, and Mia must bang on a large door if she needs assistance. 

Danielle also reports Mia has witnessed fights and is frightened. 

 She believes her daughter is trying to stay strong, but the strain is immense. 

Mia has said she is not seriously ill, though she has developed rashes, according to her mother. 

 The prison system in Dubai has faced accusations from human rights organisations regarding violence and poor treatment of inmates. 

An appeal is expected to be lodged in the coming weeks. 

Danielle is hoping that Mia might eventually be permitted to serve her sentence in the UK, possibly via transfer or clemency after Ramadan. 

The latest update

Danielle had previously set up a GoFundMe campaign to assist with legal fees and travel costs. The fundraiser was later removed for violating GoFundMe’s terms regarding legal defence campaigns. 

She publicly thanked those who tried to help and started exploring other routes to raise funds. 

In a new update, Danielle has since set up a new page on the Christian fundraising site GiveSendGo, which has raised £420 at the time of writing.

She wrote in the description of the fundraiser: "As everyone knows by now, Mia has been given a life sentence in Dubai, and is now in central prison.

"I am asking for your help, so that family can get over to Dubai to visit Mia, as we haven’t seen her since last October, and it would also really help with any other fees that we may face a long the way. Even if it’s only a £1 it could help us massively. Thank you so much."

For now, Mia remains in custody, holding on to hope that justice may yet prevail and that she might one day return home.

Featured image credit: Facebook