Urfan Sharif’s Actions Described as Leading to “Eternal Hell” in Court

A court was informed that Urfan Sharif, Sara Sharif’s father, would face the “circles of hell for eternity” due to his actions against his daughter. Mr. Sharif had previously confessed at the Old Bailey to being “a cruel father” and to having beaten Sara, though he maintained he did not intend to cause her serious harm. The 42-year-old has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and causing or allowing the death of the 10-year-old. Sara’s stepmother, Beinash Batool, 30, and her uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, have similarly denied the accusations. Testimony presented earlier in court indicated that Sara endured more than two years of abuse, involving being hooded, burned, and beaten, prior to her body being discovered with numerous injuries at the family residence in Woking, Surrey, last year. During cross-examination, Mr. Sharif had previously taken “full responsibility” for Sara’s death, yet he denied any intention to kill her. Regarding his client’s unexpected admissions, Mr. Mian KC stated they were “a total surprise.” He further remarked: “What happened to Sara was awful and that must be the understatement of the year. It was savage, it was brutal.“You may think quite rightly and deservedly so that that man will never forgive himself. He will be in the circles of hell for eternity.“He’s undoubtedly guilty of something, but the question for you members of the jury is of what, and that’s something you’ve got to unpack yourselves.” A post-mortem examination revealed that Sara sustained injuries such as “probable human bite marks,” an iron burn, and scalding from hot water prior to her death on 8 August 2023. Prosecutor Bill 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. Mr. Mian KC contended that the fractures inflicted by Mr. Sharif were in the process of healing by the time of her death and did not constitute a “significant contributory factor.” Concurrently, Ms. Batool’s barrister, Caroline Carberry KC, dismissed Mr. Sharif’s characterization of the stepmother as a “psycho,” asserting that he was the sole psychopath present in the courtroom. She informed the jury, “The sole perpetrator of the violence that led to Sara’s death is Urfan Sharif.” She highlighted his admissions made during cross-examination, where he acknowledged repeatedly striking Sara in the face and head with a bat and a pole two days prior to her demise. The trial remains ongoing.