Sara Sharif’s father, step-mother sentenced to life in prison for “campaign of abuse” that killed 10-year-old
London — The father and stepmother of a severely abused 10-year-old girl who was found dead in her home in the UK were sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday for her murder. Last week, Urfan Sharif, 42, and Beinash Batool, 30, were found guilty of murder in the death of Sara Sharif, prosecutors Call it “abusive behavior.”
Sara’s uncle Faisal Malik, 29, was found guilty of causing or allowing the girl’s death. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Prosecutors said the three fled to Pakistan after Sara’s death and Urfan Sharif called British police to say he had “punished her according to the law and she died”. He said he “hit her too much” but did not intend to kill her.
Handout Surrey Police/Reuters
On August 10, 2023, London police went to the family’s home and found Sarah’s body under a blanket on a bunk bed.
The trio returned to the UK after more than a month on the run and were arrested on suspicion of murder.
The trial at the Central Criminal Court revealed horrific details of the abuse, which included more than 70 new injuries and many older injuries including bruises, burns, broken bones and bite marks, and raised concerns about the failure of social services and authorities to intervene and protect she questioned.
Judge John Cavanagh said: “Sarah’s death was the result of years of neglect, frequent attacks and what can only be described as torture. “A level of cruelty that is almost unimaginable… which neither of you showed A hint of genuine regret.”
Handout Surrey Police/Reuters
Prime Minister Keir Starmer last week called for better safeguards for home-schooled children like Sarah, saying there were “questions that need to be answered” following her murder. After a teacher reported the little girl’s bruises to social services, Sarah’s father took her home from the public school to teach, and she died a few months later.
UK child protection services did investigate the report but took no action.
Starmer said the case was “about ensuring that children, particularly those who are home-schooled, are protected”.
