Jury resumes deliberations in Sara Sharif murder trial

The jury in the trial of the father, stepmother, and uncle of 10-year-old Sara Sharif has recommenced its deliberations for a second consecutive day. Urfan Sharif, 43, Beinash Batool, 30, and Faisal Malik, 29, have pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and causing or allowing Sara’s death. At the Old Bailey, the jury received instructions that they might also consider manslaughter for each defendant as an alternative accusation to murder. Sara’s remains were discovered last year at the family residence in Woking, Surrey, bearing numerous injuries. Testimony previously presented in court indicated that Sara had endured being hooded, burned, and beaten over a period exceeding two years of abuse. High Court Judge Mr Justice Cavanagh instructed the jury, composed of nine women and three men, on Tuesday that they ought to deliver unanimous verdicts if feasible. The jury commenced its second day of deliberations just prior to 10:15 GMT. Mr Justice Cavanagh informed them on Tuesday that they were not subject to any time constraints, further stating that all participants in the trial merited their “complete attention and thoughtful consideration”. Mr Sharif, Ms Batool, and Mr Malik, accompanied by Sara’s siblings, journeyed to Islamabad, Pakistan, on 9 August 2023, which was the day preceding the discovery of her body. During earlier proceedings, pathologist Dr Nathaniel Cary testified that Sara’s death resulted from “complications arising from multiple injuries and neglect”.