Video Evidence in Sara Sharif Case

A disturbing video of ten-year-old Sara Sharif dancing at her family home has been presented to jurors. The footage, believed to have been recorded on August 6, 2023, just four days before Sara’s body was discovered, shows her alive in Woking, Surrey.

Background of the Case

Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif (42), stepmother Beinash Batool (30), and uncle Faisal Malik (29) are facing murder charges but have denied any wrongdoing. The jury previously heard about the harrowing abuse Sara endured over more than two years, which included being hooded, burned, bitten, and beaten.

Warning: This article contains distressing details.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Sara had sustained dozens of injuries, including what appeared to be “probable human bite marks,” an iron burn, and scalding from hot water prior to her death on August 8, 2023.

Testimony from the Pathologist

During cross-examination, Caroline Carberry KC questioned pathologist Dr. Nathaniel Cary, who conducted the post-mortem. She claimed that Sara did not exhibit any brain injury at the time the video was filmed. Dr. Cary responded:

“She is conscious. She’s moving, and she’s moving in a co-ordinated manner.”

He noted that Sara appeared “co-ordinated, alert, and smiling at the camera” throughout the video. Dr. Cary also remarked that she was “moving remarkably well,” despite her other skeletal injuries.

Ms. Carberry KC stated that the video was filmed by Ms. Batool; however, the exact date and time are still under investigation by the prosecution.

Further Investigations

Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC highlighted several incriminating items found near the family’s outhouse—these included a bloodstained cricket bat, a rolling pin with Sara’s DNA on it, a metal pole, a belt, and rope.

Additionally, jurors learned that Mr. Sharif, Ms. Batool, and Mr. Malik traveled to Islamabad with other family members on August 9, 2023—the day before Sara’s body was found. Prosecutors allege that Mr. Sharif called police from Pakistan approximately one hour after landing and admitted to killing his daughter.

Mr. Sharif claims that Ms. Batool is responsible for Sara’s death and insists that he made a false confession during his phone call to protect his wife. The three defendants are also charged with causing or allowing a child’s death—charges they vehemently deny.