Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother were convicted of her murder after years of abuse, raising serious questions about social services’ involvement in her tragic case
Woking: It’s a heartbreaking story. Sara Sharif, just 10 years old, suffered unimaginable abuse at the hands of her father, Urfan Sharif, and stepmother, Beinash Batool. They were found guilty of her murder after a trial that revealed the horrific details of her life.
During the trial, it came to light that Sara had been subjected to a “culture of violent discipline.” Her father was accused of creating an environment where abuse was normal. The jury heard how he had beaten her repeatedly, leading to her tragic death.
On August 8, 2023, Sara collapsed, and instead of seeking help, her father reacted violently. He was later found in Pakistan, where he confessed to police that he had beaten her “too much.”
When authorities found Sara’s body, it was a shocking scene. She had over 25 broken bones and signs of severe abuse. The details were gut-wrenching, with evidence of burns and bite marks on her small body.
Despite warnings from teachers and social services, the abuse continued. Sara even wore a hijab to hide her bruises at school. It’s heartbreaking to think that no one could save her in time.
After the verdict, the police expressed their condolences to Sara’s family. They acknowledged the complexity of the case and the challenges faced in bringing the defendants to justice. It’s a tragic reminder of the failures in the system that allowed this to happen.
