Sara Sharif: Father takes responsibility for death of 10-year-old daughter

May Be Interested In:Prince William serves Christmas lunch at shelter he visited with Diana


Surrey Police Sara Sharif wearing a hijab and looking at the camera. She is smiling. Surrey Police

Sara Sharif’s body was found at her home in Woking on 10 August last year

Sara Sharif’s father has accepted “full responsibility” for her death, a court has heard.

The 10-year-old’s father Urfan Sharif, 42, stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, had denied murder after Sara’s body was found with dozens of injuries at the family’s home in Woking, Surrey, last year.

Under cross-examination at the Old Bailey, Mr Sharif said: “She died because of me.”

The court previously heard that Sara was hooded, burned and beaten during more than two years of abuse.

Jurors were previously told Mr Sharif’s case was that Ms Batool was responsible for Sara’s death, and he made a false confession in a phone call and also in a note to protect his wife.

But on Wednesday, as the court day was getting under way, Mr Sharif unexpectedly said: “I admit what I said in my phone call and my written note. Every single word.”

In response to questioning from Ms Batool’s barrister Caroline Carberry KC, Mr Sharif suddenly said: “I want to say something.”

“Do you accept that you had been beating Sara severely over a number of weeks?”, Ms Carberry KC asked.

“Yes”, he said.

“On the night of 6 August, you badly beat Sara?”, Ms Carberry KC added.

“Yes,” he said.

Mr Sharif also told the court that he caused fractures to Sara and used a cricket bat and a metal pole.

Surrey Police Urfan Sharif, Beinash Batool and Faisal Malik. Each is looking at the camera. Surrey Police

Urfan Sharif, Beinash Batool and Faisal Malik are each facing two charges relating to the death of Sara Sharif

Ms Carberry KC added: “You have pleaded not guilty to the offence of murder. Would you like that charge to be put to you again?”

“Yes,” Mr Sharif said.

His barrister, Naeem Mian KC, then stood up and asked for time to speak to his defendant.

As his admissions increased, some members of the jury were open-mouthed.

At this stage, Ms Batool, who had been sobbing loudly, left the court.

The jury were subsequently sent away by Mr Justice Cavanagh and the case was adjourned until 12:30 GMT.

Court sketch of Urfan Sharif in the witness box.

Under cross-examination at the Old Bailey, Mr Sharif said: “She died because of me.”

A post-mortem examination found Sara had suffered dozens of injuries including “probable human bite marks”, an iron burn and scalding from hot water before she died on 8 August 2023.

Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC previously said a bloodstained cricket bat, a rolling pin with Sara’s DNA on it, a metal pole, a belt and rope were found near the family’s outhouse.

Mr Sharif, Ms Batool and Urfan’s brother Mr Malik all previously denied charges of murder and causing or allowing the death of a child.

share Share facebook pinterest whatsapp x print

Similar Content

Strictly's Chris McCausland praised for 'poignant' dance imitating blindness
Strictly’s Chris McCausland praised for ‘poignant’ dance imitating blindness
Southport murders accused appears at Liverpool Crown Court
Southport murders accused appears at Liverpool Crown Court
Pep Guardiola with the Premier League trophy
Pep Guardiola: Man City manager agrees one-year contract extension
Wicked: London transformed into Emerald City for film premiere
Wicked: London transformed into Emerald City for film premiere
Keyboard in green, on green keyboard, with distinctive Apple Touch ID sensor in upper-right corner
Some of Apple’s last holdout accessories have switched from Lightning to USB-C
Cat rescued from drainpipe by Clevedon firefighters
Cat rescued from drainpipe by Clevedon firefighters
The Inside Scoop: News that Makes a Difference | © 2024 | Daily News