The mother of a TikTok influencer who is facing the possibility of being executed by firing squad in Dubai has shared the family’s sorrow in a recent statement.
Brooke George’s mother, Thereza, is striving to rescue her 23-year-old daughter, who is accused of killing fellow Brit Bill Treeby, 26, at an apartment in the UAE following their online meeting. Brooke, a former John Lewis employee with a million online followers, traveled to Dubai after connecting with Treeby on Facebook.
Expressing her distress, Thereza stated, “This has been an overwhelming and heart-wrenching ordeal for our family. Brooke is a caring, determined young woman who has always embraced life with vigor and believed in the abundance of opportunities the world offers. Her kind heart and resilient spirit are evident to those who know her.”
Thereza made these remarks on a JustGiving page she established to raise £75,000 for legal and travel expenses to support Brooke in Dubai. She appealed, “As a family, we are seeking assistance to aid Brooke and cover the substantial legal and familial costs during this challenging period. Any form of support, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated as we navigate the obstacles ahead. Your kindness, generosity, and prayers are invaluable to us.”
Detained in Dubai, a pressure group representing Brooke’s family, asserts that she stabbed Treeby in self-defense after enduring repeated assaults. It has come to light that Treeby was facing drug charges and had a prior conviction for assaulting a woman.
Treeby, whose father was murdered in a hit-and-run incident following a property dispute in Maidstone in 2009, had received a suspended prison sentence for assault in 2023 and was scheduled to face trial next year for alleged involvement in drug trafficking. He was among seven suspects charged by Kent Police’s County Lines and Gangs Team. George, from Gravesend, Kent, is currently held at the Bur Dubai police station.
According to George, her initial visit to the country was positive, but during her second trip in June, she accused Treeby of confiscating her passport, booking a one-way ticket for her, and assaulting her. A confrontation reportedly ensued at a flat after a night out, during which she claimed to have defended herself with a kitchen knife. George arranged a return flight with the help of friends but was detained at Dubai International Airport on June 22.
Following her arrest, George alleges she was deprived of legal representation and forced to undress in front of male officers, describing the experience as deeply degrading and distressing. Despite being interrogated by the police, she reportedly has not been provided with a lawyer or translator.
Detained in Dubai CEO Radha Stirling expressed grave concern for Brooke, emphasizing her youth and recent traumatic experiences. Stirling highlighted the lack of legal and psychological support typically available to individuals claiming self-defense following abuse, underscoring the urgency of securing proper legal representation for Brooke.
Stirling further noted the increasing instances of women being enticed to Dubai under false pretenses, only to later report instances of exploitation. The UK Foreign Office confirmed they are in contact with the detained British woman in the UAE.