In August 2023, the body of Sara Sharif, a 10-year-old British-Pakistani girl, was found lifeless on a bunk bed in her home in Woking, Surrey. Covered in bruises, burns, and bite marks, her tragic death has shocked the nation, and the trial for her murder began in mid-October 2024. Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif, her stepmother, Beinash Batool, and her uncle, Faisal Malik, now stand accused of a pattern of abuse that allegedly culminated in Sara’s untimely death.
The court was shown harrowing evidence, including images of Sara’s injuries and messages exchanged between Batool and her sisters. These messages described repeated instances of abuse, punishment, and threats inflicted by Sara’s father, with Batool at times expressing fear for Sara’s safety.
Messages Reveal Pattern of Abuse
Prosecutors presented WhatsApp messages Batool sent to her sister, Qandeela Saboohi, and others, documenting how she believed Sara’s “naughty behavior” was influenced by a supernatural being, even referring to Sara as being possessed by a “jinn.” In the exchanges, Batool depicted her husband as a man prone to violent outbursts, detailing punishments inflicted on Sara that ranged from forced sit-ups to physical beatings.
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One exchange from May 2021 described how Sharif had beaten Sara so severely that Batool said she had to “push him out of the way to save her.” Other messages reported that Sara would be forced to do sit-ups throughout the night and was routinely covered in bruises. Batool shared images of these injuries with her sister before deleting them. Prosecutors suggested that Batool’s messages may have been an attempt to present herself in a favorable light, as she never reported her husband’s actions to authorities.
Admissions of Guilt
On August 8, 2023, the day before her body was found, Sara’s father called UK police from Pakistan, admitting he had beaten her “too much.” In his call, he said he hadn’t meant to kill her but had “lost it.” A handwritten note found near Sara’s body stated, “I swear to God my intention was not to kill her,” indicating an attempt to explain the events that led to Sara’s death.
In court, the jury was also shown Ring doorbell footage capturing the family’s departure from the UK on August 10, hours before Sara’s body was discovered. They were seen at Heathrow Airport, leaving the country along with five of Sara’s siblings. This escape set off an international manhunt that ended in September 2023 when they returned to the UK and were arrested.
Cover-Ups and Explanations
The trial also revealed details of how Sara’s injuries were concealed. Jurors heard that Batool was instructed by Sharif to cover Sara’s bruises with makeup and sunglasses before she went to school. Despite Sara’s school noticing bruises on her face in June 2022 and March 2023, Sara’s injuries went largely uninvestigated by social services. A teacher testified that although Sara appeared “happy” at school, she would not give consistent explanations for her injuries and often hid her face when asked about them.
Batool’s sister, in one of the WhatsApp exchanges, expressed concern over Sara’s condition after seeing photos of her bruised face. The sister threatened to report Sharif’s actions if he did not “sort himself out,” but no reports were made. Batool expressed her own regret, saying, “If something happens to Sara, I will not be able to forgive myself.”
Abuse Escalates
Testimony from forensic experts painted a chilling picture of Sara’s physical suffering. Pathologist Anthony Freemont testified that Sara had over 25 fractures, including to her neck, indicating manual strangulation. Bruises covered her body, bite marks were found on her skin, and traces of her blood were found on a cricket bat and belt, tools prosecutors allege were used in her abuse.
In addition, Sara’s DNA was found on a plastic bag believed to have been placed over her head, and hair and blood traces were discovered on brown tape allegedly used as a restraint. The family reportedly moved Sara to homeschooling in June 2022, citing “rebellious” behavior, with Sharif claiming her actions were signs of a “mental disorder.”
Final Days and the Road to Justice
The trial continues as jurors hear testimonies from neighbors and witnesses, recounting disturbances and cries from the Sharif household. Neighbor Rebecca Spencer testified to hearing Batool screaming at Sara, and sounds of someone locked inside a room trying to escape. Prosecutors contend that Sara’s death was not a sudden accident but rather the result of a sustained pattern of abuse inflicted over years.
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With all three defendants pleading not guilty to charges of murder and causing or allowing the death of a child, the court proceedings have continued to unveil the extent of the alleged abuse Sara endured. This case has drawn attention to how signs of severe child abuse can go unreported or overlooked, igniting calls for better protections for vulnerable children.