Sara Sharif’s head ‘covered with homemade hood’ in weeks before death – trial latest
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During the second day of her murder trial, the court was informed that in the weeks leading up to her death, Sara Sharif's head was concealed with “makeshift hoods” created from plastic bags and parcel tape.
On Tuesday, the Old Bailey was informed that fingerprints thought to belong to the 10-year-old's father, Urfan Sharif, were discovered on one of the bags and a piece of parcel tape.
Previously, the jurors heard from neighbor Chloe Redwin, who resided above the family at a different location in 2020. She described hearing "extremely loud" noises that sounded like "smacking," along with "distressing screams" coming from their residence. She believed that Urfan Sharif was aware of the noise levels in his home, as there were times when he would apologize for it.
On August 10 of last year, officers from Surrey Police found Sara's body in a bedroom at a location on Hammond Road in Woking.
On Monday, the court was informed that the child had been discovered with severe injuries, including bite marks, burns, and fractures. This situation has been characterized as a systematic pattern of mistreatment.
Urfan Sharif, 42, is in court with Mr. Justice Cavanagh, together with Sara's stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and her uncle Faisal Malik, 29.
The individuals accused, previously residing on Hammond Road in Woking, have entered a not guilty plea regarding the murder of Sara and for their involvement in either causing or permitting the death of a child during the period from December 16, 2022, to August 9, 2023.
Court Reveals Sara Sharif's Blood On Cricket Bat
During the proceedings at the Old Bailey, jurors were informed that Sara Sharif's blood was discovered on a cricket bat and a vacuum cleaner in the family's residence.
Prosecutor William Emlyn Jones KC claimed that the bruises on the 10-year-old's body corresponded to a belt buckle and a plastic-coated metal pole discovered in a shed on the property. Additionally, the police located a rolling pin that had traces of her DNA on it.
It is claimed that the student endured a series of abusive experiences and sustained severe injuries in the weeks leading up to her death. All three individuals accused deny the allegations of murder as well as the charges of causing or permitting her death.
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"Neighbor Testifies: Child Went Silent After Screams"
A previous neighbor of Sara Sharif and her family reported hearing loud screams and sounds resembling someone being struck, as stated during the trial at the Old Bailey on Tuesday.
Rebecca Spencer reported that she noticed the sounds "right from the start" when the Sharif family relocated to a flat on Eden Grove in West Byfleet around 2018 to 2019, according to prosecutor William Emlyn Jones KC, who presented this information to the jurors.
He mentioned that Ms. Spencer believed the "banging and rattling" resembled the sound of "someone pounding on and pushing against a door," as if attempting to get it opened.
In a statement provided by Ms. Spencer, Mr. Emlyn Jones mentioned: "Whenever I heard those banging and rattling noises, they were usually accompanied by the sound of a child crying or screaming, and then there would be absolute silence."
During those moments, the silence is so profound that I can only call it ‘eerily quiet.’ I can’t even begin to fathom what could have taken place to turn a once crying or screaming child into complete silence so suddenly.
Ms. Spencer mentioned that she believed two of the accused, Sara's dad and stepmother, were residing in the home during that period.
Tara Cobham, October 15, 2024, at 2:00 PM.
Jurors Hear Teacher Describes Sara As 'Happy Child'
Sara Sharif's elementary school teacher characterized her as a "joyful student," according to what jurors were informed.
During Sara's murder trial on Tuesday, the court heard from her year four and five teacher, Helen Simmons, who described the 10-year-old as occasionally "sassy."
Tara Cobham, October 15, 2024, at 1:30 PM.
Jury Hears: Metal Pole Matches Sara's Bruises
Prosecutor William Emlyn Jones KC informed the court that certain straight bruises on Sara Sharif's body appeared to have been inflicted by an object, not by hands or feet.
An expert compared the bruises on Sara to a metal pole covered in plastic that was discovered in a brick outbuilding at the specified address.
Mr. Emlyn Jones stated that it seems likely the pole may have been involved in inflicting those specific bruises.
The specialist also discovered that some of the other bruises might have resulted from a belt buckle that was located in a playhouse in the backyard, he mentioned.
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Sara Sharif's Head Covered In DIY Plastic Hoods
According to the court, Sara Sharif's head was possibly covered with "homemade hoods" created from plastic bags and parcel tape.
During the month leading up to the child's death, the jury was informed that her stepmother, Beinash Batool, supposedly purchased 18 rolls of parcel tape online in just nine days.
Authorities eventually discovered "unusual items" in the trash bins, described as "plastic bags secured with parcel tape." According to prosecutor William Emlyn Jones KC, some of these bags had traces of Sara’s blood.
He went on to say, "The prosecution argues that it's clear what these items actually were."
"They are custom-made hoods. We believe they were placed over Sara's head and then secured with tape."
In the trial, it was revealed that fingerprints said to belong to her father, Urfan Sharif, were discovered on one of the bags examined by forensic experts, as well as on the side of some parcel tape that does not stick.
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Neighbor Heard A Lone Scream Before Sara's Death
Two days before Sara Sharif's death, a neighbor reported hearing a "single sharp scream" that sounded like "someone in distress," the jurors learned.
Prosecutor William Emlyn Jones KC mentioned that neighbors who talked to the police following the death of the 10-year-old stated that "they had never witnessed or heard anything that raised any worries."
On August 6, 2023, a woman reported hearing a sound that she thought was unusual compared to typical household noises, according to the prosecutor.
He went on to say, “It was one sharp, piercing scream that lasted just a few seconds before abruptly cutting off.”
To her, it resembled the cry of someone suffering, and she described it by saying, "It didn't sound right."
The prosecution claims that Sara passed away two days later, on August 8 of last year, and that the accused traveled to Pakistan the day after her death.
Amy-Clare Martin, October 15, 2024, 12:16 PM
Prosecution Claims Sara Sharif Wore Hijab To Hide Injuries
At the Old Bailey, it was reported that Sara Sharif started wearing a hijab to school in January 2023, and she was the only member of her family to do so.
Prosecutor William Emlyn Jones KC informed the jury: “The prosecution proposes that Sara starting to wear the hijab around this period suggests she was trying to hide injuries to her face and head from others.”
The court was informed that Sara's elementary school observed a bruise beneath her left eye in June 2022, along with a bruise on her chin and a dark mark on her right eye in March 2023.
In March 2023, when Sara's teacher for grades four and five inquired about the "two different bruises," Mr. Elwyn Jones noted that she seemed shy and attempted to conceal them.
He went on to say, “[The teacher] noticed that Sara would frequently tug at her hijab to cover her face whenever she wasn't willing to talk or was being reprimanded.”
"Sara offered several inconsistent explanations about how she got the bruises."
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Neighbor Hears Smacking And Gut-Wrenching Screams
The court was informed that a past neighbor, Chloe Redwin, who lived above Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool at a different address in 2020, could hear noises that resembled “slapping” coming from their residence.
Prosecutor William Emlyn Jones KC informed the jury that the noise was incredibly startling, often accompanied by the intense cries of young girls.
Amid the cries, she could make out her mother's voice yelling, "be quiet," and occasionally, the loud sound of slapping would echo in the background, accompanied by more yelling.
The neighbor reported that she frequently heard children yelling, and then their mother would respond by yelling phrases like “be quiet!” and “get to your room, you little brat,” according to the court.
"The prosecutor mentioned that Ms. Redwin often heard the mother call the children derogatory names."
Ms. Redwin mentioned that she often heard loud voices and screams at all hours, but she observed that this did not happen when the “father” was present in the house, he added.
She mentioned that she frequently greeted Sara's dad, Urfan Sharif, and added that she believed he was aware of the noise his family created, as he would sometimes apologize for it.
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Jury Hears Ring Doorbell Removed Before Escape
The court was informed that a video doorbell was taken down from the family residence before the accused left for Pakistan, leaving Sara Sharif’s body behind.
Prosecutor William Emlyn Jones KC informed the jury that the doorbell might have served as a valuable source of information about the various people coming and going in the month leading up to the death of the 10-year-old.
"It's strange that when the police arrived at the house following Urfan Sharif's call about Sara, the Ring doorbell was gone," he stated.
The jury was informed that the doorbell's mounting bracket was still visible from outside the front door.
"You might want to consider why that action was taken and what removing it could reveal about the mindset of the person who did it," he said.
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The court proceedings have started again at the Old Bailey.
Prosecutor William Emlyn Jones KC is anticipated to carry on presenting the crown's case against the defendants on Tuesday.
Sara Sharif’s father, Urfan Sharif, aged 42, along with her stepmother, Beinash Batool, 29, and her uncle, Faisal Malik, 28, have pleaded not guilty to the charges of murdering the 10-year-old and to the allegations of causing or permitting her death.
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