Father Accused in Sara Sharif Case Points to Stepmother as ‘True Villain’

The father facing charges in connection with Sara Sharif’s death has asserted that the 10-year-old’s stepmother was “the true villain”, according to court proceedings. The Old Bailey heard that Sara’s remains, bearing numerous injuries, were discovered at the family residence in Woking, Surrey, during the previous year. Urfan Sharif, 42, her father; Beinash Batool, 30, her stepmother; and Faisal Malik, 29, her uncle, have all entered pleas of not guilty to the murder charge. Naeem Mian KC, representing Mr. Sharif, informed the jury that his client attempted to rescue Sara and pleaded for an ambulance, but Ms. Batool reportedly instructed him to “leave it, she’s dead.” Warning: This article features distressing details During an address presenting Mr. Sharif’s defense, Mr. Mian KC asserted that his client had been unfairly portrayed as “the villain” due to prior testimony, further stating that Mr. Sharif intends to claim his wife, Ms. Batool, was “the true villain of the piece.” Mr. Mian KC informed jurors that Mr. Sharif returned to his residence on August 8, 2023, discovering Sara in a “limp” state. He performed CPR on Sara and implored for emergency medical assistance to be summoned, Mr. Mian KC conveyed to the court. Mr. Mian KC further stated that Ms. Batool told him, in Urdu or Punjabi, “‘leave it, she’s dead’.” He additionally informed the jury that physical discipline for his children was a “last resort” for Mr. Sharif. Mr. Mian KC clarified, “‘Not with a cricket bat as has been suggested, not with a white pole as has been suggested, but with a slap’.” While testifying, Mr. Sharif asserted that he had never bitten, burned, or physically assaulted Sara. He further informed the court of his prior completion of voluntary programs named Parenting Puzzle and Dad Discipline, alongside courses in pediatrics and nutrition. He mentioned undertaking a five-day St John Ambulance first aid course, where he received instruction in CPR. Mr. Sharif described Sara as a “beautiful angel, lovely, bubbly,” who aspired to become a ballet dancer in the future. He admitted to the court that he had slapped Sara on several instances. He added, “‘I have lots of flaws in my life, but I never beat her. Never’.” He additionally refuted claims of “controlling” his wife, Ms. Batool, explaining their relationship as traditional: he was employed, and she managed the household as the “boss.” Mr. Sharif alleged that in 2016, Ms. Batool struck him on the head with a wooden lemon squeezer when he initially sought to depart, and on a separate occasion, assaulted him with a broom. Earlier in the proceedings, the court was informed that Sara had been subjected to hooding, burning, and beatings over a period exceeding two years of abuse. 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 August 8, 2023. Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC previously stated that a cricket bat stained with blood, a rolling pin bearing Sara’s DNA, a metal pole, a belt, and rope were discovered in proximity to the family’s outbuilding. It was also previously disclosed in court that Mr. Sharif, Ms. Batool, and Mr. Malik journeyed to Islamabad, Pakistan, with additional family members on August 9, 2023, which was the day preceding the discovery of Sara’s body. Prosecutors indicated that Mr. Sharif contacted law enforcement from Pakistan, confessing to Sara’s killing approximately an hour after his family’s flight arrived in Islamabad. The jury was informed that Mr. Sharif’s defense posits Ms. Batool as accountable for Sara’s demise, and that his confession via phone call and in a written note was false, intended to shield his wife. The three defendants, who resided with Sara in Woking prior to her passing, additionally face charges of causing or allowing the death of a child, to which they have pleaded not guilty.