New CCTV footage may assist Brooke George, a British influencer accused of fatally stabbing her boyfriend in Dubai, in her defense. George, 23, alleges she acted in self-defense on June 21 after her boyfriend, William Treeby, 26, became violent. She is currently facing a potential death penalty in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after being charged with murder.
According to reports, the surveillance footage, which is part of the Dubai Public Prosecution's investigation, shows George, Treeby, and a friend arriving at McCafferty's Irish Pub in Jumeirah Village Circle around 3:23 p.m. on the day of the incident. They remained at the pub for several hours, departing at approximately 8 p.m.
The prosecution's investigation notes indicate that Treeby, who was allegedly using the alias 'Kaspar Aglitis' and was sought in the UK for a cocaine conspiracy, appeared agitated and angry at the pub. At one point, he required calming from his friend.
Detained in Dubai, a group supporting George, stated that investigators have evidence suggesting Treeby was heavily intoxicated following their visit to the pub. A toxicology report reportedly showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.19 percent. A UAE forensic expert allegedly concluded that this level of intoxication could have impaired his awareness and reactions.
The group also claims the prosecution possesses evidence that Treeby punched George in the face during an argument in the car on their way back to their villa, leaving her with a facial bruise. Upon their arrival at the villa, Treeby allegedly threw her belongings across the floor in anger.
George told investigators that she returned to the villa to retrieve her belongings, intending to leave the UAE that night. She claims that when she opened a bedroom door upstairs, Treeby was holding a knife. According to her account, he refused to let her leave and attempted to push her. In a struggle that involved their friend, the knife Treeby was holding fell to the floor. George then picked up the knife and stabbed Treeby once. A witness reportedly described her as crying hysterically afterward.
Following the incident, George went to Dubai Airport with her bag. Airport staff observed that she was visibly injured and distressed. After being questioned, she initially remained silent before cooperating with investigators. They documented fresh bruising around her left eye and other injuries she sustained in the preceding days. George also alleged to police that Treeby had subjected her to abuse, stating he sometimes assaulted her when she refused to have sex with him.
Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, emphasized that George does not deny causing the fatal injury but is asserting self-defense. Stirling highlighted that the prosecution's own evidence indicates Treeby was heavily intoxicated, had recently assaulted George, and was angry and had thrown her belongings. George was reportedly hysterical and in shock. Stirling stated that George faces a potential death sentence and that her allegations of violence and self-defense require rigorous examination.
Stirling also noted the difficulty in securing a fair hearing in the UAE, particularly when key witnesses may have left the country and are unavailable for cross-examination. She stressed the importance of scrutinizing all evidence and witness testimonies when a young woman faces capital punishment.
George's mother, Tess George, previously stated that her daughter was terrified during a phone call from the UAE in the hours before Treeby's death. She recalled her daughter initially viewing Treeby as the man of her dreams and planning to return to Dubai. However, upon her return in June, things reportedly deteriorated, leading to a call from her daughter from a bar, during which she was described as petrified and uncontrollably sobbing, expressing a desire to return to Britain due to fear. Tess George also reported seeing one of her daughter's eyes badly swollen and beginning to close.