Father Accepts Responsibility in Sara Sharif Case

In a harrowing courtroom session, Urfan Sharif, the father of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, acknowledged his role in her tragic death while denying any intention to kill her. The case has drawn significant attention following the discovery of Sara’s body, which bore numerous injuries at their home in Woking, Surrey last year.

Courtroom Revelations

During cross-examination at the Old Bailey, Sharif stated unequivocally, “She died because of me.” This admission came as jurors learned about the severe abuse Sara endured over more than two years, which included being hooded, burned, and beaten.

Previously, Mr. Sharif’s defense claimed that his wife, Beinash Batool, was primarily responsible for their daughter’s death. He had purportedly made a false confession to shield her from culpability. However, on the day of his testimony, he dramatically confessed: “I admit what I said in my phone call and my written note. Every single word.”

As questioning progressed, Mr. Sharif confirmed that he had severely beaten Sara over several weeks leading up to her death.

When pressed further by Ms. Batool’s barrister, Caroline Carberry KC, about the events on August 6th—the night before Sara died—Mr. Sharif admitted to inflicting significant harm on his daughter. He even revealed that he struck her with a cricket bat and metal pole while she was restrained.

Despite these admissions, he maintained that his actions were intended as discipline, insisting that he did not wish to kill her.

The Tragic Aftermath

On August 8th, just hours before her death, Mr. Sharif returned home to find Sara unwell. He dismissed concerns raised by Ms. Batool about calling for medical help and admitted to physically assaulting her while she lay sick in bed.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Sara suffered from multiple injuries—including probable human bite marks—and burns before her death. Items such as a bloodstained cricket bat and a metal pole were discovered near the family’s outhouse.

Sharif alongside Ms. Batool and his brother Faisal Malik has denied charges of murder and causing or allowing the death of a child.

As this tragic case unfolds in court, it raises broader questions about child protection and domestic abuse dynamics within families. The continued legal proceedings will likely shed more light on this heartbreaking situation as the community seeks justice for young Sara.

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