Sara Sharif: Father takes responsibility for death of 10-year-old daughter
"Sara Sharif's Father: 'I Caused Her Death'"
Photo credit: Surrey Police
Sara Sharif's remains were discovered in her residence in Woking on August 10th of the previous year.
Zac Sherratt and Christian Fuller
BBC News, South East region
BBC News, Central Criminal Court
Sara Sharif's father has taken "complete responsibility" for her death but has stated that he did not mean to harm her, according to a court hearing.
The father of the 10-year-old, Urfan Sharif, who is 42, along with his stepmother Beinash Batool, aged 30, and his uncle Faisal Malik, 29, have pleaded not guilty to murder. This comes after the discovery of Sara's body at their home in Woking, Surrey, last year, where she was found with multiple injuries.
During questioning at the Old Bailey, Mr. Sharif stated, "Her death was my fault."
The court previously learned that Sara endured hooding, burns, and physical assaults over a period of more than two years.
Jurors had earlier been informed that Mr. Sharif's argument was that Ms. Batool was to blame for Sara's death. He allegedly made a false confession during a phone conversation and in a letter to shield his wife from any implications.
On Wednesday, as the court proceedings were about to begin, Mr. Sharif unexpectedly stated, "I acknowledge everything I said in my phone call and in my written message. I stand by each and every word."
Caution: This article contains content that may be upsetting to some readers.
When Ms. Batool’s lawyer, Caroline Carberry KC, began her questioning, Mr. Sharif unexpectedly interjected, saying, “I have something to add.”
"Do you agree that you had been physically abusing Sara for several weeks?" Ms. Carberry KC inquired.
"Did you seriously harm Sara on the night of August 6?" Ms. Carberry KC asked.
As he shared more of his revelations, a few jurors were left in astonishment.
At that point, Ms. Batool, who had been crying uncontrollably, exited the courtroom.
He also informed the jurors that he broke Sara’s bones and struck her with a cricket bat and a metal pole while she was restrained with tape.
Later on, Mr. Sharif clarified that his goal was simply to "correct" Sara's behavior.
"I had no intention of harming her," Mr. Sharif expressed to the court.
Photo credit: Surrey Police
Urfan Sharif, Beinash Batool, and Faisal Malik have all been charged with two offenses in connection with the death of Sara Sharif.
Earlier, Ms. Carberry KC questioned Mr. Sharif, asking, “You’ve entered a plea of not guilty to the murder charge. Do you want me to formally present that charge to you once more?”
His lawyer, Naeem Mian KC, then got up and requested some time to discuss matters with his client.
Following a short recess, Mr. Sharif chose not to alter his plea.
On Wednesday afternoon, Ms. Carberry KC inquired with Mr. Sharif about the moments leading up to Sara's passing on August 8.
Mr. Sharif mentioned that when he got home that evening, he went up to find his daughter unwell in her bedroom with Ms. Batool.
Mr. Sharif concurred with Ms. Carberry KC, who suggested to him that he didn't think Sara was genuinely unwell.
"You told Beinash that Sara was faking it and putting on a show. You picked up a metal pole and struck her a few times in the stomach while she was lying there in poor condition," Ms. Carberry KC stated.
With tears in his eyes, Mr. Sharif acknowledged that this was true.
Ms. Carberry KC went on to say, “Beinash requested an ambulance, but you didn’t let them call one, did you?”
"Of course, ma'am," Mr. Sharif responded.
During questioning at the Old Bailey, Mr. Sharif admitted, "Her death was my fault."
An autopsy revealed that Sara had sustained many injuries, including what appeared to be human bite marks, a burn from a metal object, and burns from hot water, before her death on August 8, 2023.
Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC previously stated that authorities discovered a cricket bat with blood on it, a rolling pin containing Sara’s DNA, a metal pole, as well as a belt and rope, all located close to the family’s shed.
Mr. Sharif, Ms. Batool, and Mr. Malik, who is Urfan's brother, had all previously pleaded not guilty to the accusations of murder and to causing or permitting the death of a child.
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