Sara Sharif murder: Father, stepmother sentenced to life in prison

Urfan Sharif, 43, and his wife, Beinash Batool, 30, have been sentenced to 40 and 33 years in prison for the murder of their 10-year-old daughter, Sara Sharif, who was found dead in her Woking home in August 2023.

The couple stood trial at the Old Bailey Court in London, where they were convicted of her murder following a series of violent and abusive actions against the child.

Prosecutors revealed that Sara had endured severe injuries, including burns, broken bones, and bite marks, as part of an ongoing pattern of abuse.

The couple fled to Pakistan after the killing, but were apprehended at London’s Gatwick Airport in September 2023 after arriving from Dubai.

Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, was found guilty of causing or allowing her death and was sentenced to 16 years in prison. In a statement, Sara’s mother, Olga Domin, condemned the couple’s actions, describing them as “executioners.”

Judge John Cavanagh noted the brutality of the crime, referring to the abuse as “torture,” and expressed deep concern over the child’s suffer.

Timeline

August 8, 2023: Sara Sharif Found Dead
Sara Sharif, a 10-year-old girl, was found dead under a blanket in a bunk bed at her family home in Woking, Surrey. Her father, Urfan Sharif, 43, a taxi driver, and her stepmother, Beinash Batool, 30, were living with her at the time, along with her uncle Faisal Malik, 29. Sara’s death was initially shrouded in mystery, and her father and stepmother fled to Pakistan with several of Sara's siblings.

August 9, 2023: Police Discover Sara's Body
Upon investigating, authorities found a handwritten note next to Sara's body, in which Sharif confessed to having beaten his daughter, stating, “It wasn’t my intention to kill her, but I beat her up too much.” The note also read, “Maybe I will be back before you finish the postmortem.” Police also discovered signs of physical abuse, including multiple injuries on Sara’s body.

August 10, 2023: Sharif Calls Police from Pakistan
One hour after arriving in Pakistan, Sharif called Surrey Police, admitting to beating his daughter, though he claimed it was not his intention to kill her.

August 15, 2023: Postmortem Report
A postmortem revealed Sara had sustained at least 71 external injuries and 100 internal injuries over an extended period of time. These included burns, bite marks, fractures, and signs of blunt trauma. The medical examiner also noted a probable traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures.

August 2023: Police Search Family Home
During a search of the family’s home, police found a cricket bat with Sara’s blood, plastic bags for suffocation, a metal pole, a belt, and a rope. Text messages from Batool to her sister revealed that Sara had been severely beaten in the past, but Batool never reported the abuse.

September 9, 2023: Search for Sharif, Batool, and Malik
Pakistani authorities, alerted by Interpol, launched a nationwide search for the three adults. They successfully raided Sharif’s father’s house in Jhelum and rescued Sara’s five siblings. However, Sharif, Batool, and Malik were not present at the time.

September 13, 2023: Sharif, Batool, and Malik Return to UK
Sharif, Batool, and Malik voluntarily returned to the UK. Upon their arrival at Gatwick Airport, they were arrested by police, who had been waiting for their return.

September 15, 2023: Charges Filed
Sharif, Batool, and Malik were charged with murder and causing or allowing Sara’s death. They were remanded in custody pending trial.

October 7, 2024: Trial Begins
The trial of Sharif, Batool, and Malik began at the Old Bailey in London. Sharif initially denied involvement in Sara’s death, claiming that Batool had planned to flee to Pakistan and that she was responsible for the abuse.

November 13, 2024: Sharif Admits Responsibility
Sharif finally took full responsibility for Sara’s death, acknowledging that he had caused the extensive injuries, fractures, and burns. He admitted to beating Sara with a cricket bat but claimed he never intended to kill her.

December 11, 2024: Guilty Verdict
A jury at the Old Bailey found Sharif and Batool guilty of murder. Malik was found guilty of the lesser charge of “causing or allowing” Sara’s death. The trial, which lasted 10 weeks, revealed the extent of the abuse Sara had endured over a period of at least two years.

December 17, 2024: Sentencing
Sharif, Batool, and Malik will be sentenced on December 17, 2024. The case has been described as particularly traumatic for those involved, as the court heard of Sara’s joyful and loving nature, which stood in stark contrast to the abuse she suffered.

Reports of AbuseBefore Sara’s death, teachers and school staff had raised concerns about visible injuries on Sara, but investigations were closed after her parents withdrew her from school. The case has raised questions about the responsibility of authorities in preventing child abuse, especially in cases of homeschooling. The Children’s Commissioner for England has called for reforms to ensure children suspected of abuse are not educated at home.