The father and stepmother of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, who was found dead in her home in England, have been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of her murder. Urfan Sharif, 42, and Beinash Batool, 30, were found guilty last week of murdering Sara in what prosecutors described as a “campaign of abuse.”
Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, was convicted of causing or allowing her death and sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Sara’s tragic death on August 10, 2023, came after years of physical abuse. Authorities discovered her body in her home under a blanket in a bunk bed after Sharif fled to Pakistan, later contacting UK police to claim he had “legally punished” his daughter and that her death was accidental. He said he “beat her up too much” but did not intend to kill her.
The details of Sara’s abuse were shocking. During the trial, it was revealed that she suffered over 70 fresh injuries, along with older ones, including bruises, burns, fractures, and bite marks. Prosecutors described her treatment as torture, and the case raised questions about failures by social services and authorities to protect the child.
Justice John Cavanagh, during sentencing, said, “Sara’s death was the culmination of years of neglect, frequent assaults and what can only be described as torture,” and added that the cruelty involved was “almost inconceivable.”
The abuse started months before her death, when Sara’s father removed her from state school after teachers reported bruising on her body. Although British child protective services investigated, no action was taken.
In response to the case, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for stronger safeguards for children being home-schooled, noting that Sara’s death raised “questions that need to be answered” regarding the protection of children in similar situations.