Sara Sharif’s father, Urfan Sharif, 43, and stepmother, Beinash Batool, 30, were found guilty of murdering their 10-year-old daughter at the Old Bailey on Wednesday after an eight-week trial. Sharif’s brother, Faisal Malik, 29, was convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child. The verdicts followed approximately two days of jury deliberations.
The court heard evidence detailing Sara’s prolonged suffering, described as a “daily living hell” of months-long torture leading to her death. The prosecution characterized Sharif as a psychopathic, controlling, and violent bully.
Sara’s body was discovered on August 10, 2023, in a bunk bed at the family home in Surrey. She had been killed two days earlier. Sharif, who fled to Pakistan after the murder, contacted police from there, admitting to beating Sara excessively. A handwritten note found near her body, described as a “confession,” stated that he hadn’t intended to kill her but had “lost it.”
A post-mortem examination revealed extensive injuries: 71 external injuries including bruises, burns, and bite marks, along with at least 25 fractures, including 11 to her spine.
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During the trial, Sharif initially denied assaulting Sara for six days of testimony, before dramatically claiming full responsibility for her death on the seventh day. He admitted to using packing tape to bind her and beating her with a cricket bat, metal pole, and mobile phone. He denied other alleged acts of abuse, including biting her, using a homemade hood, and burning her with an iron and boiling water. Batool, who refused to provide dental impressions, did not testify.
Mr. Justice Cavanagh adjourned sentencing until next Tuesday, acknowledging the extreme stress and trauma experienced by the jury throughout the trial. He praised their diligent service in a case described as exceptionally distressing.
