The killing of a British man by an influencer in Dubai is yet another tragedy for his devastated family – after his father was murdered by his own brother and two nephews.

William Treeby, 26, was stabbed to death by Brooke George, 23, a former John Lewis shop assistant from Gravesend who claims she acted in self-defence.

Miss George, a TikToker and influencer, alleges she was punched in the face as she pleaded for her passport before grabbing a kitchen knife and stabbing him at his luxury Dubai apartment this week.

She was arrested while attempting to fly out of the UAE three days ago and has been charged with his murder, according to human rights group Detained in Dubai.

His father, Jack, 43, was killed by relatives in a deliberate hit-and-run attack following a property dispute within the family in 2009, it emerged today.

Jack’s older brother Bill and his sons, Billy and George, were convicted of murder after he was mowed down by their Range Rover near Maidstone shortly after Christmas.

Almost 17 years on, Jack’s widow Karen – who described him as a ‘wonderful’ husband and father – has now lost her son William, from Rainham, in similarly violent circumstances.

She wrote on Facebook: ‘My darling son, I’m broken. Rest in forever peace, my Bill. You will be so missed and loved by us all. We will never forget you and will keep your memory alive always.’

William Treeby, 26, was stabbed to death by Brooke George, 23, a former John Lewis shop assistant from Gravesend, who says she acted in self-defence in a double tragedy for his family

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

William’s sister Esther added: ‘He was not only my brother but my best friend. I love you, my Bill. Forever 26.’ 

Brooke George’s family and legal team claim he lured her to the Gulf with promises of a life of luxury and a modelling career before confiscating her passport. 

Miss George claims she booked a flight home but was punched in the face when she begged for her passport back.

She allegedly stabbed him in self-defence and was arrested as she tried to board a flight back to London three days ago, according to human rights group Detained in Dubai.

The group claims Mr Treeby’s death followed an alleged assault, insisting Miss George acted in self-defence as she tried to ‘escape’.

William’s father Jack was murdered by his own brother and nephews in 2009

In tributes, Mr Treeby’s family said they were ‘heartbroken’.

Miss George’s loved ones say she first met the 26-year-old during a trip to Dubai in May after connecting on Facebook. Mr Treeby, who appeared to drive a Rolls-Royce, was ‘very nice’ to her and arranged a professional beach photoshoot against the city skyline.

But on her return to the UAE in June, she allegedly accused him of booking her a one-way ticket, taking her passport and attacking her when she asked for it back and tried to return to the UK.

Her mother said her ‘absolutely terrified’ daughter called her in a ‘state of panic’ and 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 could face the death penalty if convicted.

‘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,’ Ms Stirling said.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: ‘We are in touch with a British woman detained in the UAE. We are supporting her family and are in contact with the local authorities.’

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 mother says her daughter was changed and terrified by her experience in Dubai, where she is now in custody

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, 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.’