Jury Informed of Sara Sharif’s “Daily Living Hell” and Death from Cumulative Violence

At the Old Bailey, it was stated that Sara Sharif experienced a “daily living hell” and succumbed to the accumulated impact of violence over several months. Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC informed the court that all three accused individuals were accountable for the 10-year-old’s fatality, which occurred within a “culture of violence” that had become “normalised” within the family residence. Urfan Sharif, 42, Sara’s father; Beinash Batool, 30, her stepmother; and Faisal Malik, 29, her uncle, have pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and causing or allowing her death at their Woking, Surrey, family home in August 2023. Earlier proceedings in the court revealed that Sara’s remains displayed numerous injuries, and that she had been subjected to hooding, burning, and beatings over a period exceeding two years of abuse. During his closing address, Mr Emlyn Jones KC asserted that even though Ms Batool and Mr Malik chose not to testify, the prosecution had a “formidably strong case” against them due to “the fact they lived with Sara as she was gradually being beaten to death”. He further stated that it was “inconceivable” for any single defendant to have committed these acts without the involvement and support of the others. He also noted that none of Sara’s injuries were reported or presented to a medical professional, and efforts were made to conceal the abuse. Mr Emlyn Jones KC remarked: “If you know it is happening you do something to prevent it. “None of them did because they were, and are, all responsible for her death and they all are guilty of her murder.” He explained that jurors would need to be convinced that when Mr Sharif, who admitted to beating Sara, intended to inflict “at least serious harm” upon her. Regarding Ms Batool and Mr Malik, he indicated that the jury would need to assess whether they contributed through their own violent actions or by “assisting or encouraging” others. A post-mortem examination determined that Sara had sustained injuries such as “probable human bite marks,” an iron burn, and scalding from hot water prior to her death on 8 August 2023. Mr Emlyn Jones KC had previously stated that a bloodstained cricket bat, a rolling pin bearing Sara’s DNA, a metal pole, a belt, and rope were discovered close to the family’s outhouse. During cross-examination, Mr Sharif had previously taken “full responsibility” for Sara’s death, but subsequently denied any intent to kill her. He confessed to beating Sara, but denied having bitten or burned her. The court was previously informed that Mr Sharif, Ms Batool, and Mr Malik departed for Islamabad, Pakistan, on 9 August 2023, the day before Sara’s body was discovered. The defendants have additionally pleaded not guilty to an alternative charge of manslaughter. The trial is ongoing.