Jury Hears Stepmother Bound Sara Sharif with Tape

During court proceedings, it was revealed that the stepmother, who faces charges in connection with Sara Sharif’s death, allegedly bound the 10-year-old’s hands behind her back with tape as a punishment for misbehavior. The Old Bailey was informed that Sara’s remains, bearing numerous injuries, were discovered at the family residence in Woking, Surrey, last year. Urfan Sharif, 42, Sara’s father; Beinash Batool, 30, her stepmother; and Faisal Malik, 29, her uncle, have all entered pleas of not guilty to the murder charge. In his testimony, Mr. Sharif informed the jury that he arrived home unexpectedly to discover Sara in a “terrified” state, her hands secured with packing tape. He further stated to the court that Ms. Batool appeared “shocked” by his presence at home during the event, which occurred in late June or early July of last year, several weeks prior to Sara’s death. When questioned about his wife’s explanation of the situation, he quoted her as saying: “Beinash said that, ‘she’d been naughty, so I tied her hands so that she does not hurt herself’.” Regarding his reaction, Mr. Sharif testified that he responded with an angry shout and proceeded to assist Sara. He described Sara’s state, stating: “She was terrified, Sara. She was scared.” He informed the jurors that Ms. Batool offered an apology to him and promised not to repeat the action. He further characterized her, saying: “She is very manipulative.” Mr. Sharif also informed the court that he considered Ms. Batool a “psycho” and “evil,” and admitted to slapping Sara after Ms. Batool claimed Sara had harmed some of the other children. He continued by stating that Ms. Batool consistently attributed blame to Sara “for everything.” Mr. Sharif asserted: “That poor girl always been accused by that psycho sitting there, that psycho sitting there, she always accused my daughter.” He added: “Nothing happened when I was home, she always accused her of every single thing that happened.” The jury was informed that Mr. Sharif’s defense posits that Ms. Batool is accountable for Sara’s death, and that he provided a false confession via a phone call and a written note to safeguard his wife. Naeem Mian KC, representing Mr. Sharif, had previously stated to the court that Mr. Sharif returned home on 8 August 2023, discovering Sara “limp,” and subsequently attempted CPR while pleading for an ambulance to be summoned. Mr. Mian KC further stated that Ms. Batool told him in Urdu or Punjabi, “leave it, she’s dead.” Earlier in the proceedings, the court was informed that Sara had endured over two years of abuse, involving being hooded, burned, and beaten. A post-mortem examination revealed that Sara sustained numerous 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 in the vicinity of the family’s outhouse. The court was also previously informed that Mr. Sharif, Ms. Batool, and Mr. Malik, along with other family members, traveled to Islamabad, Pakistan, on 9 August 2023. According to prosecutors, Mr. Sharif contacted police from Pakistan and confessed to killing Sara approximately one hour after his family’s flight arrived in Islamabad. The three defendants, who resided with Sara in Woking prior to her death, also face charges of causing or allowing the death of a child, which they deny.