The tragic case of Sara Sharif, a 10-year-old girl subjected to horrific abuse and ultimately murdered by her father, Urfan Sharif, and stepmother, Beinash Batool, continues to unfold with the news of their appeal against their life sentences. The Old Bailey trial revealed the extent of Sara’s suffering, enduring “unimaginable pain, misery and anxiety” through repeated beatings, burns, bites, and restraints at their Woking home. Sharif and Batool were sentenced to life imprisonment with minimum terms of 40 and 33 years, respectively, while Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, received a 16-year sentence for causing or allowing her death. All three are now seeking to appeal their sentences.
The details of Sara’s ordeal paint a horrifying picture of systematic abuse. After being placed in her father’s custody despite previous abuse allegations, Sara’s life descended into a nightmare. The abuse, which spanned two years, included being bound, having her head covered, being burned with an iron, and bitten. She was forced to wear a hijab to conceal her injuries, a practice that stood out as none of the other family members wore one. The abuse became so ingrained in the family’s life that Malik, who moved in with them in December 2022, failed to intervene. Batool, despite acknowledging Sharif’s violent nature and expressing sympathy for Sara, also remained passive, allowing the torture to continue.
The trial exposed numerous missed opportunities by social services to protect Sara. Despite a history of abuse allegations against Sharif, including attacks on women and children, Sara was placed in his custody. Instances of burns, bruises, and other injuries were reported to social services over the years, but no effective action was taken. Even a school referral prompted by Sara’s visible injuries resulted in no intervention. The decision to allow Sharif to homeschool Sara proved fatal, removing her from the watchful eyes of teachers and allowing the abuse to escalate unchecked.
Sharif’s cruelty knew no bounds. He used packing tape to tie Sara to a radiator, forced her to wear a nappy, and subjected her to brutal beatings. The culmination of this horrific abuse occurred on August 8, 2023, when Sara was beaten to death with a cricket bat. Even as she lay dying, Sharif struck her twice in the stomach for “pretending.” In a desperate attempt to cover up their crime, Sharif, Batool, and Malik fled to Pakistan, leaving Sara’s lifeless body in a bunk bed.
Sharif’s confession to Pakistani police, claiming he had beaten Sara “too much,” provided a chilling admission of guilt. The discovery of a cricket bat stained with Sara’s blood, a rolling pin with her DNA, and black rope with her hair attached further solidified the evidence against him. A note found at the scene, purportedly written by Sharif, claimed he had “lost it,” further highlighting the brutality of his actions. The post-mortem examination revealed the devastating extent of Sara’s injuries, including 71 separate injuries, two open burn wounds, a broken neck bone, bite marks, and a brain injury.
Sara’s mother, Olga Domin, eloquently expressed her grief and outrage in a victim impact statement, condemning Sharif and Batool as “cowards” and “sadists.” She spoke of her daughter’s vibrant personality and the pain of losing her to such senseless violence. While trying to find solace in having provided Sara with a proper burial, the immense loss remains. The case of Sara Sharif serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked domestic abuse and the urgent need for improved child protection systems. The appeals by Sharif, Batool, and Malik add another layer to this heartbreaking story as they attempt to challenge the sentences handed down for their roles in this horrific crime.
