The father and stepmother of 10-year-old Sara Sharif have today been found guilty of her murder following a ten-week trial in London.
The jury returned unanimous verdicts against Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif, 42, and Sara’s stepmother, Beinash Batool, 30, following the trial, during which they heard how Sara had been brutally mistreated, abused and violently assaulted, eventually resulting in her tragic death.
The jury found Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, not guilty of murder but guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child.
Sharif, Batool and Malik will be sentenced at The Central Criminal Court in London on Tuesday, 17 December.
Specialist doctors and pathologists who examined Sara’s body found evidence of around 100 separate internal and external injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, multiple broken bones, extensive bruising and scarring.
There was also evidence of burns, including one on Sara’s buttocks which had been intentionally inflicted using a domestic iron, and human bite marks.
Many of the injuries that Sara suffered had been inflicted using implements, including a cricket bat, a vacuum, and a metal pole.
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There was also evidence that Sara had been restrained and her head covered with homemade hoods made from parcel tape and plastic bags while some of the injuries were inflicted.
The post-mortem found the cause of Sara’s death to be complications arising from multiple injuries and neglect.
Sara’s body was found at the family home in Hammond Road, Woking, in the early hours on Thursday, 10 August 2023, after her father, Urfan Sharif, called police and told them that he had killed his daughter and left her at the address.
A note was found next to Sara’s body in Sharif’s handwriting in which he also claimed to be responsible for her death.
The call was made after Sharif, Batool and Malik left the UK to fly to Pakistan with five of Sara’s siblings, aged between 1 and 13 years at the time.
During the call, which lasted eight and a half minutes, Sharif told the operator that he had killed his daughter, and instructed officers to go to the family home.
Sharif said he had “panicked and left home” and said he had “beaten her up too much” but that it wasn’t his intention to kill her. However, he refused to say where he was and gave no indication that the family had flown to Islamabad the night before Sara’s body was found.
It later transpired that Batool had booked the one-way tickets for the three adults and five children on 8 August 2023, the day that Sara is believed to have died.
An investigation was launched by the Surrey Police and Sussex Police Major Crime Team, which involved working with Interpol, the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, the National Crime Agency, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Pakistani authorities to locate Sharif, Batool and Malik in connection with Sara’s death.
On 13 September 2023, Sharif, Batool and Malik left Pakistan and returned to the UK.
They were arrested on suspicion of Sara’s murder and causing or allowing the death of a child as they disembarked at Gatwick Airport.
All three were subsequently charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of a child on 15 September 2023.
On 14 December 2023, they appeared at The Central Criminal Court in London where they all pleaded not guilty to both offences.
Sharif, the only one of the defendants to give evidence, began by blaming Batool for what had happened to Sara but changed his testimony during the trial, at one point claiming “full responsibility” for Sara’s death in a bid to protect his wife and brother.
He then said he had beaten her but that he hadn’t intended to kill her. He maintained throughout his evidence that he was not responsible for the bites or burn injuries to his daughter.
Tributes
Paying tribute to her daughter, Sara’s mother Olga Sharif, said:
“My dear Sara, I ask God to please take care of my little girl, she was taken too soon. Sara had beautiful brown eyes and an angelic voice. Sara’s smile could brighten up the darkest room.
“Everyone who knew Sara will know her unique character, her beautiful smile and loud laugh. She will always be in our hearts, her laughter will bring warmth to our lives. We miss Sara very much. Love you Princess.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Chapman from the Surry Police and Sussex Police Major Crime Team, which led the investigation, said: “Today, after a ten-week trial, a jury has found the father and stepmother of 10-year-old Sara Sharif guilty of her murder. Her uncle was found guilty of causing or allowing her death.
“Sara was a bright and lively little girl who loved singing and dancing, and on behalf of Surrey Police, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to her mother, Olga, her siblings, and all those who knew and cared for her.
“Sara’s spirit, bravery and resilience in the face of the abuse she suffered has shone through from the vast enquiries that have been undertaken in this case.
“Sara’s young life was brought to an end as a result of the brutal abuse inflicted on her by her father and stepmother, which her uncle did nothing to prevent. This case has shocked and horrified not only those who knew and loved her, but people across the country and around the world.
“On 10 August 2023, we received a phone call from Sharif in which he told the operator that his daughter had died as a result of his actions. From this day Surrey Police has worked tirelessly to build a case to prove that Sharif, Batool and Malik had played their part in Sara’s death.
“During the trial, Sharif took the stand intending to blame Sara’s death on his wife before changing his story to accept some responsibility while still denying murder. Batool and Malik refused to take the stand during the trial or provide any explanation of what happened to Sara in their police interviews.
“All three defendants have only ever sought to preserve their own interests throughout this investigation and have shown no remorse for their truly dreadful behaviour. Sara’s death has been one of the most difficult and distressing cases that Surrey Police has ever dealt with. I would like to thank those who came forward to provide information, and those who gave evidence in such harrowing circumstances.
“I would also like to thank the jury for their careful consideration of the evidence which has been presented throughout this trial, much of which has been extremely disturbing.
“I also extend my thanks to the National Crime Agency, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Interpol and authorities In Pakistan for their support with the wider investigation.
“Now that the criminal case has concluded, we will work closely with our partners to undertake the Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review, which will examine the practice of all agencies involved with the family and identify any learning.
“The murder of a child is shocking, but the injuries, abuse and neglect that Sara suffered during her short life has made this case particularly disturbing.
“Today is a day where justice for Sara has been served, and our thoughts remain with Sara’s mother and her brothers and sisters at this extremely difficult time.”
