Sara Sharif case review begins after father and stepmother convicted of murder
The Old Bailey, the venue for the trial of those accused of killing Sara Sharif.
A case review is now underway following the conviction of 10-year-old Sara Sharif's father and stepmother for her murder.
Following a 10-week trial, a jury determined that Urfan Sharif, 42, and Beinash Batool, 30, were guilty of murder, while Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, was found guilty of causing or allowing her death.
On August 10, 2023, Sara's remains were discovered at her family's residence in Woking, Surrey. This came after Sharif contacted the authorities to confess that he had killed Sara. He had previously escaped to Pakistan along with Batool, Malik, and five of Sara's siblings.
Surrey Police reported that expert doctors and pathologists discovered approximately 100 distinct internal and external injuries on Sara's body. These included a serious brain injury, numerous fractures, as well as significant bruising and scars.
Sara Sharif (photo courtesy of Surrey Police)
There were signs of burns as well, including one on Sara's backside, which appeared to have been deliberately caused by a household iron, along with bite marks from a human.
According to the BBC, the family had been on the radar of Surrey council since 2010, even before Sara was born. This attention stemmed from worries about violence directed at the children and the domestic abuse that Sharif inflicted on Sara’s mother, Olga, prior to their separation.
The family's interaction with services will now be evaluated as part of a local review focused on child protection practices.
After the trial's outcome, Rachael Wardell, the executive director of children, families, and lifelong learning at Surrey council, expressed her deep sorrow: “Sara’s passing is deeply upsetting, and we feel the intense shock at the disturbing revelations brought to light during the trial.”
"The main objective of the trial has been to gather the evidence required to ensure that those accountable for Sara's death are held guilty," she explained.
"This indicates that we can't fully grasp or discuss the situation until the independent safeguarding review is finished. However, it's evident from the testimonies presented in court that the offenders made significant efforts to hide the truth from everyone involved."
Wardell stated that the council intends to be fully involved in the upcoming review. This sentiment was shared by Surrey Police, with Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Chapman commenting, “It is shocking when a child is murdered, but the injuries, mistreatment, and neglect that Sara experienced throughout her brief life make this case especially unsettling.”
Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, expressed that Sara’s murder serves as a tragic reminder of the significant flaws in our child protection system. She emphasized that, as a nation, we have repeatedly failed to address these issues.
At the rear of the case, de Souza presented three reform suggestions that are already included in the government's agenda:
De Souza also advocated for the elimination of laws that allow parents in England to physically discipline their children. The government is reportedly looking into this matter as well (source: BBC).
