Sara Sharif’s father fled to Pakistan after allegedly killing her and called the police to confess his crime, stating that he had “legally punished her and she died.” The 10-year-old’s body was found in her home in Woking, Surrey, with extensive injuries including bruising, burns, and broken bones. The prosecutor in the case, William Emlyn Jones, stated that Sara had been the victim of a “campaign of abuse” leading up to her death, with all three defendants – Sara’s father Urfan Sharif, stepmother Beinash Batool, and uncle Faisal Malik – playing a part in the violence.
During a 999 call, Sharif admitted to beating his daughter, claiming that she was “naughty” and that he had not intended to kill her. A note found next to Sara’s body in Sharif’s handwriting echoed his confession, stating that he had killed her but did not intend to do so. The court heard that Sara had died on August 8, two days before her body was found by police. The family had fled the UK on August 9, landing in Pakistan, with Sharif being thousands of miles away when he made the call to confess to the murder.
The prosecutor told the jury that evidence would show that Sara had suffered brutal and appalling treatment in the weeks leading up to her death. He emphasized that it was inconceivable for just one person to have carried out all the abuse without the others knowing or witnessing it. Each defendant denied responsibility for the violence, instead pointing fingers at each other. Sharif claimed his confession was false and made to protect his wife, Batool, while Batool accused Sharif of being a violent disciplinarian.
Malik’s case was that he was unaware of what was going on and not responsible for Sara’s death. The defendants have denied murder and causing or allowing the death of a child between December 16, 2022, and August 9, 2023. The trial is ongoing at the Old Bailey, with the judge hearing evidence and testimonies from witnesses. The prosecution’s case is built on the assertion that all three defendants were complicit in the abuse that led to Sara’s death and that they are now attempting to shift blame onto each other to avoid responsibility.
The trial is set to continue until December 13, during which time the jury will hear further evidence to determine the guilt or innocence of the defendants. Sara’s tragic death has shed light on the issue of child abuse and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. The case serves as a reminder of the devastating impact that abuse can have on young victims and the need for society to work together to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
