:Murder of Sara Sharif

{{Infobox person

| name = Sara Sharif

| image = Sara Sharif.jpg

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| birth_date = {{Birth date|2013|01|11|df=y}}

| birth_place = Slough, Berkshire, England

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| body_discovered = 10 August 2023

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2023|08|8|2013|01|11|df=yes}}

| death_place = Woking, Surrey, England

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| mother = Olga Domin

| father = Urfan Sharif

| relatives = Beinash Batool (stepmother), Faisal Malik (uncle)

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Sara Sharif, a 10-year-old girl, was murdered by her father Urfan Sharif and stepmother Beinash Batool on 8 August 2023. She was discovered dead in her family's residence in Woking, Surrey, England, two days later. An autopsy revealed that she had been regularly and severely abused. Urfan and Beinash, along with Urfan's brother, Faisal Malik, fled to Pakistan on 9 August, after which Urfan called the police and reported her death. The three became immediate suspects and an international manhunt was launched to find them. They were then captured on 13 September 2023 at Gatwick Airport after voluntarily flying back from Pakistan.

On 11 December 2024, Urfan and Beinash were found guilty of murder and both were sentenced to life imprisonment, while Faisal was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child and was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment. On 1 January 2025, Urfan was attacked in prison with a tuna can lid, sustaining non-life threatening injuries to his face and neck. In January 2025, the Solicitor General's office referred the case to the Court of Appeal, requesting an increase Urfan's sentence under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme, while Urfan and Beinash petitioned the Court of Appeal for a reduction in their sentences; both appeals were denied.

Sara's murder was widely reported on for the brutality of the abuse she previously endured, which raised questions as to why authorities failed to protect her. Prime Minister Keir Starmer commented on the case, calling it "awful" and said that the government would learn from her death. Will Forster, representing Woking in Parliament, proposed an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill titled "Sara's Law", which would facilitate increased communication between social services and schools.

Background

Sara's father is Urfan Sharif, a Pakistani taxi driver who moved to the UK in 2001. Urfan studied at the Army Public School in Jhelum, and a fellow student described him as not having many friends, that Urfan "used to misbehave" and had "different moods" that was hard to understand.{{Cite news |last=Bakht |first=Shayma |last2=Ellery |first2=Ben |date=11 December 2024 |title=A toxic household: The father and stepmother who killed Sara Sharif |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/sara-sharif-parents-father-stepmother-mother-olga-l53gmgxzl |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211201329/https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/sara-sharif-parents-father-stepmother-mother-olga-l53gmgxzl |archive-date=11 December 2024 |access-date=27 March 2025 |work=The Times}} His former partner, Angelika, said that he accused her of having an abortion after she suffered a miscarriage, threatened her with a knife, tried to brand her with his initials, and held her captive in his home. After escaping from his flat through a window, she reported Urfan to the police, who arrested and detained him for two days. The two had met when Urfan was her shift manager while she was working at a Burger King restaurant in Woking. After separating, Angelika returned to Poland.{{Cite news |last=Evans |first=Holly |date=13 December 2024 |title=Ex-girlfriend says Sara Sharif's father kept her captive, held knife to her face and stalked her in Poland |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sara-sharif-father-poland-girlfriend-murder-b2663540.html |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=The Independent}} Another former partner of Urfan accused him of imprisoning her for five days.{{Cite news |last=Ellery |first=Ben |date=11 December 2024 |title=Sara Sharif: Violence, coercion and lies that led to her death |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/sara-sharif-social-services-council-v5kttlbc9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241212004930/https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/sara-sharif-social-services-council-v5kttlbc9 |archive-date=12 December 2024 |access-date=27 March 2025 |work=The Times}}

Sara's mother, Olga Domin (formerly Sharif),{{Cite web |date=12 December 2024 |title=Sara Sharif: Concerns about her care were raised when she was a few days old, new details show |url=https://news.sky.com/story/sara-sharif-concerns-about-her-care-were-raised-when-she-was-a-few-days-old-new-details-show-13272268 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226103857/https://news.sky.com/story/sara-sharif-concerns-about-her-care-were-raised-when-she-was-a-few-days-old-new-details-show-13272268 |archive-date=26 December 2024 |access-date=7 January 2025 |website=Sky News |quote=}} is Polish. Urfan allegedly met Olga in Poland during a trip to stalk Angelika. Olga has learning difficulties and was considered "vulnerable" by authorities.{{Cite news |last=Bolton |first=Will |date=11 December 2024 |title=Sara Sharif's father guilty of her murder as it emerges he exploited EU rules to stay in UK |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/11/sara-sharif-urfan-murder-old-bailey-verdict-sham-marriage/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241222235643/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/11/sara-sharif-urfan-murder-old-bailey-verdict-sham-marriage/ |archive-date=22 December 2024 |access-date=7 January 2025 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{Cite news |last=Bolton |first=Will |date=17 December 2024 |title=WhatsApp messages reveal horrific abuse of Sara Sharif missed by social services |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/11/sara-sharif-verdict-murder-trial/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230172559/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/11/sara-sharif-verdict-murder-trial/ |archive-date=30 December 2024 |access-date=7 January 2025 |work=The Daily Telegraph}} Urfan impressed Olga's relatives during a visit to Poland, and Olga's father said that he had "never seen a better family", and later said that Urfan was a "great manipulator". Olga's stepmother said that she initially thought that he was a "handsome and well-dressed and car[ed] about his appearance", and later compared him to {{Ill|Jerzy Kalibabka|lt=Tulipan|pl|italic=}}, a Polish serial fraudster famous for seducing and stealing from women.{{Cite news |last=Kowalski |first=Rafał |date=20 March 2023 |title=Uwodziciel czy przestępca? Taki był prywatnie Jerzy Kalibabka. Doczekał się aż 28 dzieci |trans-title=Seducer or criminal? This is what Jerzy Kalibabka was in private. He had 28 children |url=https://viva.pl/ludzie/newsy/smierc-jerzego-kalibabki-historia-uwodziciela-prl-przyczyny-smierci-117555-r1/ |access-date=27 March 2025 |work=Viva! |language=pl}} The couple married in 2009 and had a son in 2010.{{cite news |last1=Dugan |first1=Emily |last2=Janjua |first2=Haroon |date=8 September 2023 |title=Sara Sharif: a month of unanswered questions about 10-year-old's death |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/08/sara-sharif-month-unanswered-questions-about-death |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211192456/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/08/sara-sharif-month-unanswered-questions-about-death |archive-date=11 February 2024 |accessdate=26 January 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian}} One year into the marriage, Urfan was arrested for assaulting Olga and an unspecified child. Olga allegedly told social services that Urfan tightened a belt around her neck and that he locked her in a room and took her phone.{{Cite news |last1=Sherratt |first1=Zac |last2=Wilkinson |first2=Helena |last3=Ellison |first3=Claire |date=11 November 2024 |title=Sara Sharif's dad 'threatened to kill ex-partners' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czj7pm98j94o |access-date=7 January 2025 |work=BBC News}} She also said that he once tried to set her on fire and poured oil on her, but her cousin stopped him.{{Cite news |last1=Ellery |first1=Ben |last2=Brown |first2=David |last3=Mitib |first3=Ali |date=12 December 2024 |title=Sara Sharif's mother Olga: Her father tried to set me on fire |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/sara-sharif-mother-olga-interview-domin-d3hssk5xx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241212112047/https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/sara-sharif-mother-olga-interview-domin-d3hssk5xx |archive-date=12 December 2024 |access-date=7 January 2025 |work=The Times}} Olga's mother said that she knew that Olga was being abused, but did not confront Urfan, fearing that doing so would worsen the abuse.

Sara Sharif was born on 11 January 2013 in Slough, Berkshire. Sara was put under a child protection plan as soon as she was born due to concerns that she was at risk of harm from both of her parents.{{Cite news |last=Sinmaz |first=Emine |date=12 December 2024 |title=Sara Sharif's father given custody despite years of reported abuse of mother and siblings |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/dec/12/sara-sharifs-father-given-custody-despite-years-of-reported-abuse-of-mother-and-siblings |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=The Guardian}} After a week with her mother in hospital, the newborn Sara was put into foster care, with parental visitation allowed three times a week, and was given back to her parents in September 2013 under supervision.{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=David |last2=Mitib |first2=Ali |date=11 December 2024 |title=Sara Sharif’s father Urfan Sharif accused of abuse before she was born |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/urfan-sharif-father-sara-d0vbnqrfr?region=global |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241212112853/https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/urfan-sharif-father-sara-d0vbnqrfr |archive-date=12 December 2024 |access-date=27 March 2025 |work=The Times}} The couple separated in 2015 and later divorced, after which Sara and her brother lived with Olga. In 2019, their custody was awarded to Urfan, after which they lived in Horsell, Woking, with him, his wife Beinash Batool, the couple's four children, and Urfan's brother. Olga said that the reason that she lost custody was that Sara falsely claimed that Olga had hit her.

Abuse

In September 2013, Olga was arrested for biting one of her children, was charged, and was released on bail. She claimed that it happened while they were playing, but said in 2014 that she did it deliberately and was given a police caution. In 2015, social services investigated the family after Urfan was seen gesturing with a knife at his home, which he said was part of a "zombie game". Social workers observed Urfan assaulting Olga and them both making death threats towards each other.{{Cite news |last=Ellery |first=Ben |date=17 December 2024 |title=What happened to Sara Sharif? The 15 missed chances to save her |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/sara-sharif-what-happened-timeline-sqrnpwmtq |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241217204141/https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/sara-sharif-what-happened-timeline-sqrnpwmtq |archive-date=17 December 2024 |access-date=27 March 2025 |work=The Times}}

Olga, who objected to her children being raised Muslim,{{Cite news |last=Zakrzewska |first=Sandra |date=18 December 2024 |editor-last=Mularczyk |editor-first=Agnieszka |title=10-latka marzyła o wielkiej scenie, a została brutalnie zamordowana przez ojca i macochę. Zapadł wyrok |trans-title=10-year-old dreamed of the big stage, but was brutally murdered by her father and stepmother. Verdict was passed |url=https://www.wysokieobcasy.pl/wysokie-obcasy/7,163229,31554100,10-latka-marzyla-o-wielkiej-scenie-a-zostala-brutalnie-zamordowana.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250304195923/https://www.wysokieobcasy.pl/wysokie-obcasy/7,163229,31554100,10-latka-marzyla-o-wielkiej-scenie-a-zostala-brutalnie-zamordowana.html |archive-date=4 March 2025 |access-date=28 March 2025 |work=Wysokie Obcasy |publisher=Gazeta Wyborcza |language=pl |quote=Para spierała się o to, w jakiej religii wychowają dzieci. Matka jest chrześcijanką, ojciec muzułmaninem i naciskał na islam. Polka chciała, by jej dzieci poznały obie religie, a potem same zdecydowały, która jest dla nich odpowiednia. |trans-quote=The couple argued about which religion to raise their children in. The mother is Christian, the father Muslim, and he insisted on Islam. The Polish mother wanted her children to learn about both religions and then decide which one was right for them.}} had little contact with her children during the time they lived in Woking. She initially was allowed to see them often, but her visits became rarer after Batool told her not to visit her children, claiming that they did not desire to see her anymore. According to Olga, "[i]t's not normal that once the children were happy, and arguing about who would talk to Mum first, and then the kids don't even want to talk to me on the phone and are calling me the worst names."{{Cite news |last=Sandford |first=Daniel |date=6 September 2023 |title=Sara Sharif: So badly injured mum 'did not recognise her' in mortuary |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66723962 |access-date=9 February 2025 |work=BBC News}}

A social worker that supervised visits between Urfan and Sara said that Sara would shout at Urfan to "go away" whenever he came close to her, and another social worker said that she thought Urfan lacked empathy.{{Cite news |last=Bolton |first=Will |date=17 December 2024 |title=WhatsApp messages reveal horrific abuse of Sara Sharif missed by social services |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/11/sara-sharif-verdict-murder-trial/ |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223071021/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/11/sara-sharif-verdict-murder-trial/ |archive-date=23 December 2024 |access-date=27 March 2025 |work=The Independent}} One of Urfan's children told a social worker that they dislike their father because he assaulted and bruised them. Another social worker said that they saw Sara flinch when Urfan scolded her and that she was surprised when Urfan embraced her.

Sara was forced to carry out domestic chores for Urfan and Batool, and neighbours told a jury that they had regularly heard Batool verbally abuse her.{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Holly |date=12 December 2024 |title=Sara Sharif's mother says 'monster' Urfan Sharif should 'die in jail' for murdering schoolgirl |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sara-sharif-mother-reaction-schoolgirl-murder-b2662952.html |access-date=12 January 2025 |website=The Independent}} Batool would call Urfan while he was at work to ask him to come home to punish Sara.{{Cite news |last=Evans |first=Holly |date=17 December 2024 |title=Their gruesome abuse laid bare, Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother start life sentences to cries of ‘evil’ |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sara-sharif-father-stepmother-sentenced-murder-b2665676.html |access-date=27 March 2025 |work=The Independent}} Sara was subject to regular beatings that would result in her being tied up with tape and her head covered with a "makeshift hood". Urfan once forced Sara to perform sit-ups the entire night because she had hidden his keys.{{Cite news |last=Bolton |first=Will |date=31 October 2024 |title=Sara Sharif’s father ‘forced her to do sit ups all night’ |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/31/sara-sharif-father-forced-her-to-do-sit-ups-all-night/ |access-date=27 March 2025 |work=The Independent}}

Sara began wearing a hijab at school to cover up her bruises{{Cite web |date=17 December 2024 |title=Sara Sharif's mother calls her murderers 'sadists and executioners' as her statement read in court during sentencing |url=https://news.sky.com/story/sara-sharifs-mother-calls-her-murderers-sadists-and-executioners-as-her-statement-read-in-court-during-sentencing-13275336 |access-date=12 January 2025 |website=Sky News |archive-date=14 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114014243/https://news.sky.com/story/sara-sharifs-mother-calls-her-murderers-sadists-and-executioners-as-her-statement-read-in-court-during-sentencing-13275336 |url-status=live }} and gave multiple conflicting stories at school about how she received her injuries.{{Cite web |last1=Fuller |first1=Christian |last2=Wilkinson |first2=Helena |date=15 October 2024 |title=Sara Sharif hooded and burned by abusers - court |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn8jnggdj0qo |access-date=7 January 2025 |website=BBC News |archive-date=7 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107181741/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn8jnggdj0qo |url-status=live }} After she could not explain her injuries to her teachers, the school referred Sara to social services.{{Cite web |last1=Panons |first1=Jacob |last2=Talwar |first2=Divya |last3=Sandford |first3=Daniel |last4=Ellison |first4=Claire |date=24 October 2024 |title=Teacher saw Sara Sharif's bruised face, jury told |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ym5476222o |access-date=7 January 2025 |website=BBC News}} In April 2023, Sara was taken out of primary school under the ruse of being homeschooled.{{cite news |last1=Sinmaz |first1=Emine |date=17 December 2024 |title=Judge in Sara Sharif case warns of 'dangers' of automatic right to home school children |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/dec/17/judge-in-sara-sharif-case-warns-of-dangers-of-automatic-right-to-home-school-children |access-date=18 December 2024 |work=The Guardian}} A neighbour of the Sharifs reported that she heard "constant crying" and "screaming", which had at one point reached "fever pitch" coming from their address. She also said that Batool turned her away after she visited out of concern for the Sharifs' welfare.{{Cite web |last1=Panons |first1=Jacob |last2=Talwar |first2=Divya |last3=Ellison |first3=Claire |date=23 October 2024 |title=Sara's neighbour had door shut in face, jury told |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce9j9g2k27ro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207070027/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce9j9g2k27ro |archive-date=7 December 2024 |access-date=7 January 2025 |website=BBC News}} Another neighbour of the Sharifs said that she heard a young girl scream "in pain" two days before Sara died.{{Cite news |last1=Panons |first1=Jacob |last2=Talwar |first2=Divya |last3=Ellison |first3=Claire |date=25 October 2024 |title=Sara Sharif likely suffered every day, jury told |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cje03y5dv7ko |access-date=9 February 2025 |work=BBC News}}

Discovery of the body and investigation

On the day of Sara's death, 8 August 2023,{{Cite web |date=17 December 2024 |title=Father and stepmother of Sara Sharif sentenced to life for her murder |url=https://www.cps.gov.uk/south-east/news/father-and-stepmother-sara-sharif-sentenced-life-her-murder |access-date=30 March 2025 |publisher=Crown Prosecution Service}} Sara's older brother sent his friend a text message stating that his sister had died.{{Cite web |last=Madejska |first=Agnieszka |date=18 November 2024 |title=Biegli znaleźli u Sary ponad 70 różnych obrażeń. W Londynie trwa proces ojca zamordowanej 10-latki |trans-title=Experts found over 70 different injuries on Sara. The trial of the father of the murdered 10-year-old is underway in London |url=https://uwaga.tvn.pl/reportaze/zamordowana-sara-miala-ponad-70-roznych-obrazen-wstrzasajaca-relacja-z-procesu-ojca-10-latki-st8184611 |access-date=12 January 2025 |website=TVN |language=pl |quote=W dniu śmierci dziewczynki jej starszy brat o 19:38 wysłał wiadomość do kolegi: „Cześć! Pilne. Moja siostra właśnie zmarła”. |trans-quote=On the day of the girl's death, her older brother sent a text message to a friend at 7:38 p.m.: "Hi! Urgent. My sister just died."}} Sara's body was discovered at her residence on Hammond Road, Horsell, during the early hours of 10 August 2023 by a police constable.{{Cite news |last=Ahmed |first=Jabed |date=15 October 2024 |title=Pictured: Note allegedly found by Sara Sharif’s body saying ‘It’s me Urfan Sharif who killed my daughter’ |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sara-sharif-fathers-note-picture-woking-surrey-b2629741.html |access-date=27 March 2025 |work=The Independent}} Urfan left a note addressed to Sara near her body, apologising for her death and asking the reader to bury her in accordance with Islamic funeral traditions.{{Cite news |last=Vaughan |first=Henry |date=15 October 2024 |title=Father's note left under Sara Sharif's pillow admitting he killed her 'by beating' pictured |url=https://news.sky.com/story/sara-sharif-neighbour-heard-high-pitched-scream-two-days-before-10-year-olds-death-court-told-13233857 |access-date=9 February 2025 |work=Sky News}} Surrey Police identified Urfan Sharif, his wife Beinash Batool, and his brother Faisal Malik as persons of interest.{{cite news |last=Ahmed |first=Nabiha |date=29 August 2023 |title=Cause of Sara Sharif's death likely to be 'unnatural', inquest hears |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/29/cause-of-sara-sharifs-death-likely-to-be-unnatural-inquest-hears |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912061952/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/29/cause-of-sara-sharifs-death-likely-to-be-unnatural-inquest-hears |archive-date=12 September 2023 |access-date=10 September 2023 |newspaper=The Guardian}} All three departed from the UK for Islamabad, Pakistan, on 9 August, a day before Sara's body was found.{{cite news |last1=Sandford |first1=Daniel |last2=Faulkner |first2=Doug |last3=Wilkinson |first3=Helena |date=13 September 2023 |title=Sara Sharif: Three relatives arrested on suspicion of murder |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66804350 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913192716/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66804350 |archive-date=13 September 2023 |access-date=13 September 2023 |work=BBC News}}{{cite web |last=Hennessey |first=Ted |date=29 August 2023 |title=Sara Sharif's cause of death 'not yet ascertained', inquest hears |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/uknews/2023/08/29/news/sara_sharif_s_cause_of_death_not_yet_ascertained_inquest_hears-3567142/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011030737/https://www.irishnews.com/news/uknews/2023/08/29/news/sara_sharif_s_cause_of_death_not_yet_ascertained_inquest_hears-3567142/ |archive-date=11 October 2023 |accessdate=26 January 2024 |website=The Irish News}}

On 8 August, Urfan messaged ad hoc travel agent Nadeem Riaz, asking for eight one-way aeroplane tickets to Islamabad, Pakistan. Urfan claimed that his cousin had died. Riaz said that he had known Urfan for 11 years prior to the incident, and that he did not notice anything unusual about Urfan.{{Cite news |last=Zakir-Hussain |first=Maryam |date=4 September 2023 |title=The chilling two words father of Sara Sharif sent in final WhatsApps before he fled |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sara-sharif-father-whatsapp-revealed-b2404255.html |access-date=9 February 2025 |work=The Independent}} Urfan made a 999 call from Pakistan shortly after he arrived in Islamabad with his wife, brother, and five children. He admitted, "I've killed my daughter," stating, "It wasn't my intention to kill her, but I beat her up too much." He told the dispatcher that his actions were intended as punishment, saying, "I'm a cruel father."{{cite news |last=Sandford |first=Daniel |date=2024-12-11 |title=Behind Sara Sharif's smile was a life of violence and torture |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgedlr7qg1o |access-date=2024-12-11 |work=BBC News}}

On 15 August 2023, a post-mortem was carried out, which discovered that Sara had suffered numerous and severe injuries over an extended period.{{cite news |last1=Mureddu-Reid |first1=Hamish |last2=Wilkinson |first2=Helena |date=20 August 2023 |title=Sara Sharif murder inquiry: Girl known to authorities, council says |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-surrey-66563430 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918105949/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-surrey-66563430 |archive-date=18 September 2023 |access-date=10 September 2023 |work=BBC News}} At the trial, her more than 70 injuries were revealed:{{cite web |last1=Fuller |first1=Christian |last2=Wilkinson |first2=Helena |date=16 October 2024 |title=Sara Sharif: Girl, 10, had more than 70 injuries, court hears |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm29gpl19x1o |access-date=16 October 2024 |website=BBC News |archive-date=19 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241119165259/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm29gpl19x1o |url-status=live }} these included injuries to her ribs, shoulder blades, fingers and 11 fractures to her spine, a puncture wound to the head, a traumatic brain injury, a burn on her buttock caused by a domestic iron, scalds by hot water, restraint injuries, bruises caused by blunt objects and human bite marks.{{cite web |last1=Fuller |first1=Christian |last2=Wilkinson |first2=Helena |date=15 October 2024 |title=Sara Sharif: Girl, 10, wore hijab to hide injuries, court told |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn8jnggdj0qo |access-date=15 October 2024 |website=BBC News}}{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Holly |title=Sara Sharif's father called 999 to admit he 'beat her up' before fleeing to Pakistan leaving body in bunk bed |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sara-sharif-father-pakistan-murder-trial-b2628892.html |access-date=15 October 2024 |work=The Independent |date=14 October 2024 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bolton |first=Will |date=17 December 2024 |title=WhatsApp messages reveal horrific abuse of Sara Sharif missed by social services |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/11/sara-sharif-verdict-murder-trial/ |access-date=7 January 2025 |website=The Daily Telegraph |archive-date=30 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230172559/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/11/sara-sharif-verdict-murder-trial/ |url-status=live }}

The cause of death was determined to be "complications arising from multiple injuries and neglect".{{Cite web |last1=Fuller |first1=Christian |last2=Wilkinson |first2=Helena |date=16 October 2024 |title=Sara Sharif had more than 70 injuries, court hears |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm29gpl19x1o |access-date=7 January 2025 |website=BBC News}} A paediatric radiologist providing evidence to the court, stated that Sara had sustained neck injuries that occur "extremely rare[ly]" and that said injuries were likely caused by "manual strangulation with a degree of force above that which we would normally recognise in ligature force – meaning hanging".{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Holly |date=18 October 2024 |title=Sara Sharif had suffered multiple fractures across 25 locations on her body, court told |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sara-sharif-injuries-murder-trial-b2631682.html |access-date=7 January 2025 |website=The Independent}} He said that Sara's spinal fractures were "very rare", and compared them to those usually found in victims of traffic collisions.{{Cite web |last1=Fuller |first1=Christian |last2=Talwar |first2=Divya |last3=Ellison |first3=Claire |date=18 October 2024 |title=Sara Sharif's injuries similar to car crash - court |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c870z1e98yjo |access-date=7 January 2025 |website=BBC News}} An osteoarticular pathologist giving evidence to the court said that she had hyoid bone{{Cite web |date=1 November 2024 |title=Sara Sharif, l'enfant martyre dont le calvaire bouleverse les Britanniques |trans-title=Sara Sharif, the martyred child whose ordeal upsets the British |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/monde/20241101.OBS95778/sara-sharif-l-enfant-martyre-dont-le-calvaire-bouleverse-les-britanniques.html |access-date=7 January 2025 |website=Le Nouvel Obs |language=fr |quote=Même l’os hyoïde du cou avait été brisé, probablement par « étranglement manuel », selon cet expert, Anthony Freemont. |trans-quote=Even the hyoid bone of the neck had been broken, probably by "manual strangulation", according to this expert, Anthony Freemont.}} and wrist fractures, both of which were determined to be caused deliberately. He also stated that the aforementioned fractures were not what had killed her.{{Cite news |last1=Fuller |first1=Christian |last2=Wilkinson |first2=Helena |date=17 October 2024 |title=Girl suffered fractures before death, court hears |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgxy1j8nx9o |access-date=7 January 2025 |work=BBC News}}

A burns and plastic surgeon providing evidence to the court, said that Sara had been burnt on the buttocks by a clothes iron, which would have caused "significant physical and psychological discomfort" to her. He said that though he could not provide an exact date for the injury, he believed it have occurred between two and six weeks before her death. There was no evidence of leftover adhesive near the wound, which suggests that the wound was neglected. Sara's feet were also scalded by a liquid. Tim De Meyer, chief constable of Surrey Police, said that Sara's death was "a crime of the most unimaginable and unspeakable evil" and that the case was "about as bad as I have ever seen."{{Cite news |last=Sherratt |first=Zac |date=5 February 2025 |title=Sara Sharif case was unspeakable evil - police chief |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn7g86nmjdno |access-date=9 February 2025 |work=BBC News}} Mark Chapman, detective chief superintendent of Surrey Police, said that he had never seen "such horrific suffering of a young person" before in his entire 30-year-long career.{{Cite web |last=Fuller |first=Christian |date=2024-12-11 |title=Sara Sharif trial: Father and stepmother found guilty of murder |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0dper5nx4o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211140732/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0dper5nx4o |archive-date=11 December 2024 |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=BBC News}}

International manhunt

Despite no extradition treaty between the United Kingdom and Pakistan, an international search was launched as police searched Jhelum.{{cite news |last=Gupta |first=Tanya |date=24 August 2023 |title=Sara Sharif murder probe: Fresh appeal two weeks after girl found dead |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-surrey-66605094 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918105949/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-surrey-66605094 |archive-date=18 September 2023 |access-date=10 September 2023 |work=BBC News}} The police made a request for information two weeks after the discovery of Sara's body, urging anyone who had contact with her to come forward with information. Muhammad Sharif, Urfan's father, said that Urfan had visited him in Jhelum while fleeing from the police and that Urfan told him that Sara's death was accidental.{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Caroline |date=5 September 2023 |title=Sara Sharif: Father claimed death was accident, says grandad in Pakistan |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66718163 |access-date=9 February 2025 |work=BBC News}} According to Muhammad, Urfan was hiding from the police out of fear and added that Urfan was likely not "think[ing] properly".

On 12 September 2023, police raided Muhammad's house in Jhelum, and recovered Urfan's five living children in good condition. The Pakistani government then assumed custody over the children.{{cite news |last=Janjua |first=Haroon |date=11 September 2023 |title=Sara Sharif: Pakistani police recover five children from grandfather's house |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/11/sara-sharif-pakistani-police-recover-five-children-from-grandfathers-house |access-date=12 September 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=12 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912040440/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/11/sara-sharif-pakistani-police-recover-five-children-from-grandfathers-house |url-status=live }} On 13 September, Urfan, Beinash, and Faisal were arrested at Gatwick Airport on suspicion of murder after disembarking a flight from Sialkot via Dubai. They had voluntarily returned to the UK.{{Cite news |last=Shamim |first=Sara |date=12 December 2024 |title=What happened to little Sara Sharif and did the UK let her down? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/12/what-happened-to-little-sara-sharif-and-did-britain-let-her-down |access-date=30 March 2025 |work=Al Jazeera}}

Trial

On 14 September 2023, Urfan, Beinash, and Faisal were all charged with murder along with an additional charge of causing or allowing the death of a child. They were remanded in custody ahead of a hearing on 15 September at Guildford Magistrates' Court.{{cite news |last=Cursino |first=Malu |date=14 September 2023 |title=Sara Sharif: Father among three charged with murder of girl |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66816275 |access-date=15 September 2023 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=14 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914235429/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66816275 |url-status=live }} They appeared before London's Old Bailey on 19 September 2023 via videolink.{{cite news |last=Mureddu-Reid |first=Hamish |date=19 September 2023 |title=Sara Sharif's father, stepmother and uncle appear in court over girl's murder |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-surrey-66853949 |access-date=19 September 2023 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920022629/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-surrey-66853949 |url-status=live }} A plea hearing took place in December 2023, at which all three pleaded not guilty to each charge,{{cite web |last=Fuller |first=Christian |date=14 December 2023 |title=Sara Sharif: Father, step-mother and uncle deny girl's murder |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-67713313 |access-date=14 October 2024 |website=BBC News |archive-date=26 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126225407/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-67713313 |url-status=live }} and they were set to stand trial in September 2024. At an Old Bailey hearing on 26 January 2024, Judge Mark Lucraft KC set a provisional trial date for October, with the actual date to be confirmed at a hearing in February.{{cite web |last=Britton |first=Jeremy |date=26 January 2024 |title=Sara Sharif: Murder trial expected in October |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-surrey-68106544 |accessdate=26 January 2024 |work=BBC News |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126151059/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-surrey-68106544 |url-status=live }} At a hearing on 1 March, it was confirmed the trial was tabled to begin on 1 October.{{Cite web |first1=Helena |last1=Wilkinson |first2=Emily |last2=Coady-Stemp |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-surrey-68446317 |title=Sara Sharif murder trial confirmed for October |date=1 March 2024 |accessdate=26 June 2024 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |archive-date=26 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626143630/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-surrey-68446317 |url-status=live }} On 8 October 2024, the jury was sworn in at the start of the trial of the three defendants at the Old Bailey.{{cite web |last1=Wilkinson |first1=Helena |last2=Fuller |first2=Christian |date=8 October 2024 |title=Sara Sharif: Jury sworn in for murder trial into girl's death |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c781nn4j44lo |access-date=14 October 2024 |website=BBC News |archive-date=9 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009222543/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c781nn4j44lo |url-status=live }}

The prosecutor revealed on 14 October that Sara's father had admitted killing her when he rang 999 after landing in Pakistan:{{cite web |last1=Fuller |first1=Christian |last2=Wilkinson |first2=Helena |date=14 October 2024 |title=Sara Sharif: Father admitted killing daughter in police call, court hears |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly5p4246dgo |access-date=14 October 2024 |website=BBC News |archive-date=14 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241014123708/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly5p4246dgo |url-status=live}} he claimed he had "legally punished her" and told the operator, "I beat her up, it wasn't my intention to kill her, but I beat her up too much".{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Holly |title=Sara Sharif murder trial latest: Father left note next to 10-year-old's body saying 'I lost it' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sarah-sharif-murder-trial-latest-updates-b2628722.html |access-date=14 October 2024 |work=The Independent |date=14 October 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web |last=Tobin |first=Sam |date=14 October 2024 |title=Sara Sharif murder case: Accused father confessed to UK police, jurors told |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/father-accused-girls-murder-confessed-uk-police-jurors-told-2024-10-14/ |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241216100624/https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/father-accused-girls-murder-confessed-uk-police-jurors-told-2024-10-14/ |archive-date=16 December 2024 |website=Reuters |publisher=}} In November 2024, he accepted "full responsibility" for causing Sara's death.{{cite news |last1=Fuller |first1=Christian |last2=Sandford |first2=Daniel |date=13 November 2024 |title=Sara Sharif: Father confesses to killing 10-year-old daughter |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgl461xwg3do |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113110758/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgl461xwg3do |archive-date=13 November 2024 |access-date=13 November 2024 |work=BBC News}} Urfan called himself the "worst parent on the planet" and admitted that he mistreated Sara during cross-examination.{{Cite web |last1=Talwar |first1=Divya |last2=Ellison |first2=Claire |last3=Coady-Stemp |first3=Emily |date=14 November 2024 |title=I'm the worst parent, Sara Sharif's dad tells jury |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2mx3kd8k9o |access-date=7 January 2025 |website=BBC News |archive-date=26 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126184855/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2mx3kd8k9o |url-status=live }} On 11 December 2024, Urfan and Batool were found guilty of murdering Sara. Malik was found not guilty of murder but was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child. On 17 December 2024, Urfan was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years, while Beinash was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 33 years. Malik was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment for causing or allowing the death of a child.{{Cite news |last=Fuller |first=Christian |last2=Wilkinson |first2=Helena |last3=Sandford |first3=Daniel |date=17 December 2024 |title=Sara Sharif's 'sadistic' killers jailed for murder |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czr3vygvyy7o |access-date=29 March 2025 |work=BBC News}}

= Imprisonment =

On 1 January 2025, Urfan was ambushed in his cell by two inmates while serving his sentence at HM Prison Belmarsh, who then attacked him by slitting his throat with a tuna can lid.{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Barney |date=3 January 2025 |title=Sara Sharif's father has 'throat slashed with tuna tin' by HMP Belmarsh inmates |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sara-sharif-father-prison-attack-belmarsh-tuna-tin-b2673171.html |access-date=8 February 2025 |website=The Independent}} Urfan sustained non-life threatening injuries to his face and neck.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Jacob |date=28 January 2025 |title=Sara Sharif's father moved to infamous 'Monster Mansion' prison alongside other notorious killers |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/sara-sharif-father-frankland-prison-hmp-belmarsh-monster-mansion-b1207711.html |access-date=8 February 2025 |website=Evening Standard |archive-date=11 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211044612/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/sara-sharif-father-frankland-prison-hmp-belmarsh-monster-mansion-b1207711.html |url-status=live }} He was treated inside the prison and was not transported to a hospital. After the attack, Urfan was transferred to HM Prison Frankland under heavy security.{{Cite web |last=McInerney |first=Liam |date=29 January 2025 |title='I stayed in same hellhole prison as Sara Sharif's killer – I'll never forget what I saw' |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/i-stayed-same-hellhole-prison-30888426 |access-date=8 February 2025 |website=Manchester Evening News |archive-date=5 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205041654/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/i-stayed-same-hellhole-prison-30888426 |url-status=live }}

While incarcerated at HM Prison Bronzefield, Beinash was reported to have become good friends with Lucy Letby, a former neonatal nurse convicted of murdering seven infants, with them playing cards together and talking to each other frequently. They are housed in the same secure unit to protect them from other inmates.{{Cite news |last1=Scheerhout |first1=John |last2=Kiernan |first2=Kelly-Ann |date=6 February 2025 |title=Lucy Letby accompanied by guard everywhere she goes in prison and whines her life is 'wasting away' |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/lucy-letby-accompanied-guard-everywhere-30950709 |access-date=9 February 2025 |work=Manchester Evening News}}{{Cite news |last1=Bona |first1=Emilia |last2=Rowlands |first2=Saskia |date=15 December 2024 |title=Lucy Letby 'becomes pals' with Sara Sharif's killer step-mum in prison |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/lucy-letby-becomes-pals-sara-30590266 |access-date=9 February 2025 |work=Liverpool Echo |archive-date=30 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230105023/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/lucy-letby-becomes-pals-sara-30590266 |url-status=live }}

= Related litigation =

The High Court of Justice placed a gag order on the media in December 2024 to prevent them from reporting the names of the judges that placed Sara in Urfan's custody, due to a "real risk of harm" from a "virtual lynch mob".{{Cite news |last=Fuller |first=Christian |date=24 January 2025 |title=Appeal won to name Sara Sharif's family court judges |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz0l98x7830o |access-date=9 February 2025 |work=BBC News}} Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls, overturned the previous judgement after an appeal by media organizations, calling it "misguided".{{Cite news |last1=Sandford |first1=Daniel |last2=Wilkinson |first2=Helena |date=31 January 2025 |title=Sara Sharif family court judges named after appeal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd9qzn70nn8o |access-date=9 February 2025 |work=BBC News}} The judges overseeing the family court trial were named as Alison Raeside, Peter Nathan, and Sally Williams, none of whom requested anonymity.{{Cite web |last=Pitt |first=Ellie |date=31 January 2025 |title=Sara Sharif: Judge who placed her in care of murderer father named |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2025-01-31/sara-sharif-judges-who-placed-her-in-care-with-murderer-father-named |access-date=9 February 2025 |website=ITV News |archive-date=1 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201035620/https://www.itv.com/news/2025-01-31/sara-sharif-judges-who-placed-her-in-care-with-murderer-father-named |url-status=live }}

In January 2025, the Solicitor General's Office referred Urfan's sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme,{{Cite news |last=Allingham |first=Pol |date=20 January 2025 |title=Sara Sharif: Solicitor General appeals against ‘unduly lenient’ murder sentence for girl’s father |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sara-sharif-father-murder-sentence-appeal-b2682981.html |access-date=29 March 2025 |work=The Independent}} asking the court to impose a whole life order.{{Cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Helena |last2=Panons |first2=Jacob |date=13 March 2025 |title=Sara Sharif's dad 'should serve whole life order' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y03409me0o |access-date=29 March 2025 |work=BBC News}} At the same time, Urfan, Batool and Malik petitioned the Court of Appeal to reduce their sentences. A hearing on both cases was held on 13 March 2025 and the court delivered its ruling the same day, upholding all three sentences and rejecting the Solicitor General's application.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sara-sharif-murder-father-sentence-appeal-b2714404.html |title=Father and stepmother who murdered 10-year-old schoolgirl Sara Sharif lose bid to reduce prison sentences |newspaper=The Independent |date=13 March 2025 |first=Holly |last=Evans}}

Aftermath

Sara was buried in eastern Poland, near the unspecified village that her mother moved to after her death, under her mother's surname of Domin. Her mother lives there with her new partner, with whom she had a son.{{Cite news |last=Mitib |first=Ali |date=31 January 2025 |title=In the Polish village where Sara Sharif has been laid to rest |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/in-the-polish-village-where-sara-sharif-has-been-laid-to-rest-0fdlggh0z |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250131201759/https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/in-the-polish-village-where-sara-sharif-has-been-laid-to-rest-0fdlggh0z |archive-date=31 January 2025 |access-date=28 March 2025 |work=The Times}}

Shortly after the end of the murder trial, Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for greater government supervision of homeschooled children, and said that Sara's death was "awful".{{Cite news |last=Cooney |first=Christy |last2=Walsh |first2=Aoife |date=12 December 2024 |title=Questions must be answered over Sara murder, PM says |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgn8lp30ydo |access-date=28 March 2025 |work=BBC News}} In Parliament, he declared that the government would learn from her death.{{Cite news |date=18 December 2024 |title=PM calls for 'clarity' after Sara Sharif murder |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c77j671e466o |access-date=28 March 2025 |work=BBC News}} After his announcement, the Department for Education declared that they were preparing additional regulations on homeschooling children, to prevent additional children from "falling through the cracks".{{Cite news |last=Fox |first=Aine |date=12 December 2024 |title=‘Questions to be answered’ over Sara Sharif’s ‘awful’ murder, Starmer says |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sara-sharma-keir-starmer-investigation-murder-b2663271.html |access-date=28 March 2025 |work=The Independent}} Lucy Powell, head of the House of Commons, said that the government is "committed to further reform of children’s social care and much stronger safeguards for children being taken into home education", and that such measures are "long overdue".{{Cite news |last=Cobham |first=Tara |date=12 December 2024 |title=Sara Sharif’s mother speaks out about abusive ex who killed their daughter: ‘He tried to set me on fire’ |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sara-sharif-mother-murder-father-fire-b2663269.html |access-date=28 March 2025 |work=The Independent}}

In 2024, the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which makes it illegal for parents to homeschool their children if the child's situation is being investigated by social services or the child is under a child protection plan, was proposed in Parliament.{{Cite news |last=Fox |first=Aine |date=17 December 2024 |title=Sara Sharif murder shows danger of homeschooling vulnerable children – judge |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/bill-bridget-phillipson-government-uk-parliament-schools-b2665796.html |access-date=28 March 2025 |work=The Independent}} In March 2025, Will Forster, the member of parliament representing Woking, proposed an amendment, named Sara's Law in memory of Sara, to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would facilitate increased communication between social services and schools.{{Cite news |last=Dale |first=Bob |date=18 March 2025 |title=Sara's Law proposed to protect vulnerable children |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yx9kqp5wro |access-date=24 March 2025 |work=BBC News}}