A British woman facing murder charges in Dubai has experienced a delay in her trial after key prosecution witnesses failed to appear. Brooke George, 23, originally from Gravesend, Kent, was due to stand trial for the death of her boyfriend, 26-year-old William Treeby, who died at his residence in the United Arab Emirates. The next hearing is now scheduled for October 28.

George was arrested in June following the fatal incident. She has admitted to stabbing Treeby once in the chest but maintains that she acted in self-defense, alleging that he attacked her with a knife. The circumstances surrounding Treeby’s death remain under investigation.

While awaiting trial, George has been ordered by a judge to remain in custody. Reports indicate she is being held in a busy police station that is noisy and brightly lit, conditions that have reportedly made it difficult for her to rest. Radha Stirling, founder of the advocacy group Detained in Dubai, has called for George to be treated humanely and for her family to be able to communicate with her during this period.

The case has attracted attention due to the severity of the potential sentence and the concerns raised about her detention conditions. Authorities have not commented publicly on the status of the witnesses or the reasons for the trial delay. The next procedural hearing is set to take place at the end of October.