In a tragic and shocking case that has gripped the UK, Urfan Sharif, 43, and his wife, Beinash Batool, 30, have been found guilty of murdering their ten-year-old daughter, Sara Sharif. The harrowing details of Sara’s treatment during her short life emerged during the trial, where it was revealed that she had endured severe abuse over two years prior to her death at their family home in Woking, Surrey. Her body was discovered with numerous injuries after police responded to a call on August 10, 2023.
Sara was subjected to a cruel environment that led to her being hooded, beaten, and burned, leaving her with dozens of injuries. The case gained significant media attention due to its disturbing nature and the involvement of her family members. On August 9, 2023, a day after Sara’s death, both Sharif and Batool, alongside Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, aged 29, departed for Islamabad, Pakistan, with Sara’s siblings, marking a concerning flight from justice. Malik was subsequently found guilty of allowing the death of Sara.
The judicial proceedings took place at the Old Bailey, where Mr. Justice Cavanagh commented on the extensive emotional toll this case had taken on all involved. The atmosphere in the courtroom was dense with emotion as the verdicts were read. Urfan Sharif remained stoic while Atool broke down in tears. Malik, likewise, was seen sobbing as he was escorted from the dock. The sentencing for the convicted parties is scheduled to occur next week, when they face the repercussions of their actions within the context of the law.
Sara’s horrific final moments were highlighted by a post-mortem examination, which revealed a range of injuries, including what appeared to be human bite marks, burns from an iron, and signs of scalding. Tragically, Sara was found in a bunk bed, and a handwritten note from her father was discovered beside her. In this note, which chillingly confesses his role in her demise, Urfan stated, “Whoever see this note, it’s me Urfan Sharif who killed my daughter by beating.” This note, alongside evidence presented in court, suggested an initial attempt to deflect blame towards Batool, but Sharif eventually accepted full responsibility under cross-examination.
Throughout the trial, Sharif claimed that when he arrived home on the dire evening of August 8, he found his wife with Sara in a state that indicated something was terribly wrong. He reported that Batool described Sara as having simply fallen down the stairs, attempting to present her condition as exaggerated behavior. Desperate to revive his daughter, he insisted that he attempted CPR, but was advised against it by Batool, who audibly claimed there was no need for an ambulance because “she’s dead.”
Evidence transformed their accounts of innocence into confessions of guilt when Sharif made a distressing call to emergency services after arriving in Pakistan. During this call, he hauntingly declared that he had “legally punished” his daughter and indirectly admitted to the fatality of his actions. His assertion that it was not his intention to kill her yet recognizing he had “beaten her up too much” left jurors and the public in disbelief at how a parent could inflict such pain upon their child.
In a case that has left many reflecting on parental responsibility and the signs of abuse, the convictions serve as a poignant reminder of the need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable children. As the legal proceedings continue, the hope is that this heartbreaking situation will prompt discussions about child welfare, support systems, and ultimately, justice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
