Sara Sharif was found dead in her bed in London on August 10, 2023. ARCHIVE

In a case that has horrified the United Kingdom, a British-Pakistani father and stepmother were found guilty on Wednesday (December 11) of murdering 10-year-old Sara Sharif in a harrowing instance of child abuse. Urfan Sharif, 42, and Beinash Batool, 30, were convicted at London’s Old Bailey criminal court for the systematic abuse and eventual murder of Sharif’s daughter, Sara. Her uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, was also found guilty of causing or allowing her death. The jury heard that Sara endured weeks of abuse, leaving her with extensive injuries, including 25 broken bones, burns, and bite marks. She was found dead in her bed in Woking, southwest of London, on August 10, 2023. The three accused fled to Pakistan the day before her body was discovered. Libby Clark from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) described the case as “extremely traumatic.” She said, “None of us can imagine how appalling Sara’s treatment was in the last few weeks of her short life. Today, we have secured justice for Sara.” The sentencing will take place next Tuesday (December 17), where all three face life imprisonment. During the trial, Urfan Sharif admitted to causing his daughter’s death but denied intending to harm her. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I lost control,” Sharif stated under cross-examination. However, the court was presented with evidence of his repeated violence, including using a cricket bat on the child and binding her with tape. Batool, who declined to testify, was implicated through forensic evidence, including bite marks found on Sara. Prosecutors highlighted her refusal to provide dental imprints as damning. Child welfare experts expressed outrage over how Sara’s abuse went unnoticed. “This case underscores the need for greater vigilance in protecting vulnerable children,” said Anna Matthews, a child protection advocate. ICA/Expat Media
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