Shocking Trial of Sara Sharif’s Murder: A Brutal Story of Abuse and Family Tragedy

Speacial correspondent#

The renewed attention around Sara Sharif’s case is due to the ongoing trial of her alleged killers, which started in October 2024. While the tragic events occurred in August 2023, the case has only recently gained significant public focus because her father, stepmother, and uncle have been facing charges for her murder. The trial has shed light on the shocking details of the abuse she endured, including the discovery of 25 fractures, burn marks, and bites on her body.
The details of the abuse have been revealed during the court hearings, adding to the public’s emotional response. Additionally, the fact that the family members fled to Pakistan, sparking an international manhunt, has contributed to the heightened interest in the case. The ongoing trial, which continues to unfold, has kept the case in the news as people are awaiting the outcome and further revelations.

The media coverage has intensified as more details of the trial and the appalling nature of Sara’s death come to light, keeping it a topic of discussion in the UK and internationally​.

The three accused have since been put on trial at the Old Bailey in London. They deny the charges of murder, but court hearings have exposed the disturbing nature of Sara’s abuse. For example, a pathologist testified that Sara’s injuries were so severe that they were consistent with prolonged abuse. Her father’s earlier actions, including attempts to hide Sara’s injuries and flee the country, also played a role in the investigation. The case has been widely covered due to its brutal details and the fact that it involved a family tragedy.

According to Pakistan Media Dwan, the tragic murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, a British-Pakistani girl, has been a source of shock and outrage. Her body was discovered in her family’s home in Woking, England, on August 10, 2023. Investigations revealed that Sara had endured horrific abuse, including multiple fractures, bites, and burn marks, some of which were believed to be caused by an iron. She had 25 fractures in total, including one in her hyoid bone, which indicated possible strangulation.

The discovery led to an international manhunt for her father, Urfan Sharif, his partner Beinash Batool, and her uncle Faisal Malik, who fled to Pakistan with Sara’s siblings the day before her body was found. The three have since returned to the UK and are now facing trial for her murder. They deny the charges, but the details of Sara’s abuse have been chilling, as revealed in court proceedings​.

Sara’s father and stepmother were convicted of murder on Wednesday in a trial that revealed gruesome details of the abuse inflicted on her, and the failure of child protection services to intervene despite warning signs.

Starmer said the “awful” case was “about making sure that [there are] protecting safeguards for children, particularly those being home-schooled”.

The girl was found dead in her home in August 2023, with extensive injuries, including broken bones, burns and even bite marks, after being subjected to years of abuse. Months earlier, her father Urfan Sharif had taken her out of school to be taught at home, after Sara’s teacher reported her bruises to child services.

At the time, child services had probed the incident but did not take any action. Sara had also been in and out of foster care after Urfan separated from her mother, Olga Sharif, to marry the stepmother, Beinash Batool. Despite previous allegations of abusive behaviour against the father made by Olga, Urfan won custody of Sara in 2019, just four years before she was killed.

Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza said Sara’s death highlighted “profound weaknesses in our child protection system”. De Souza said it was “madness” that an at-risk child could be taken out of school, calling for a ban on homeschooling of suspected abuse victims.

The Department for Education said it was “already taking action to make sure no child falls through the cracks” and “bringing in greater safeguards for children in home education”.

Lucy Powell, leader of the House of Commons, said that details would be announced soon on the “long overdue” homeschooling safeguards and reforms to children’s social care. According to a child safeguarding report published today, 485 children in England died or were seriously harmed by abuse or neglect in the year to April 2024.

Urfan, Batool and Sara’s uncle Faisal Malik, who was cleared of murder but convicted of causing or allowing her death, are due to be sentenced on Tuesday.##