A harrowing case of prolonged child abuse and neglect culminated in justice today as a jury found Urfan Sharif, 42, and his wife Beinash Batool, 30, guilty of the murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif. Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, was also convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child.
Sara’s death on August 8, 2023, followed months of horrific abuse. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that the young girl had been subjected to regular beatings, burns, scalds, and restraints, culminating in a fatal accumulation of injuries. By the time her lifeless body was discovered on a bunk bed in the family’s Woking home, she had suffered over 25 broken bones and 100 separate internal and external injuries, including a traumatic brain injury.
Sharif and Batool fled to Pakistan with Sara’s five siblings shortly after her death, leaving her body behind. The international manhunt that followed ended with their return to the UK and subsequent arrest.
Systemic Failures Highlighted
The case has sparked widespread outrage over the failures of multiple agencies responsible for Sara’s welfare. Despite being known to local authorities, police, and the family court system, Sara’s suffering continued unnoticed until her tragic death.
- Local Authority: Surrey County Council had been aware of child protection concerns involving Sharif since 2010, years before Sara was born. Social workers were repeatedly involved with the family, and her older half-sibling had been removed from Sharif’s care due to abuse.
- Police: Domestic abuse incidents between Sharif and Sara’s mother, Olga Sharif, were reported as early as 2010. Police referrals also highlighted concerns of neglect toward Sara and her siblings, leading to emergency removals on multiple occasions.
- Family Court: Despite overseeing three sets of proceedings related to child protection, including one triggered by allegations of abuse in 2019, the family court ultimately placed Sara and her older sibling in the care of Sharif and Batool. Social workers at the time described Batool as a “protective factor,” a recommendation that proved devastatingly misplaced.
- Cafcass: The Children and Family Courts Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) was involved in assessing the family, but safeguarding concerns were not adequately addressed.
Missed Opportunities
In March 2023, Sara’s school raised concerns after noticing bruises on her face. However, the referral to Surrey social workers was closed without action. Five months later, Sara was dead.
Experts have drawn comparisons to previous high-profile cases of systemic failures in child protection, including Victoria Climbié and Peter Connelly (“Baby P”), underscoring the urgent need for reforms.
Sara’s Life and Legacy
Born on January 11, 2013, Sara was described by her family as “spirited, bold, and fierce.” Despite her suffering, she was seen smiling in a video taken just days before her death. The footage showed her dancing alongside her siblings, concealing the extent of her injuries.
Statements from Authorities
Rachael Wardell, Executive Director for Children, Families, and Lifelong Learning at Surrey County Council, stated:
“The focus of the trial has been on securing the convictions of those responsible for Sara’s death. Until the independent safeguarding review concludes, we cannot fully comment on the broader failures.
Sentencing and Public Reaction
Sentencing for Sharif, Batool, and Malik is scheduled for next Tuesday. Public outrage over the case has intensified calls for accountability within child protection systems and reforms to prevent similar tragedies.
Sara’s death serves as a somber reminder of the systemic failures that allowed her suffering to go unnoticed. As authorities face growing scrutiny, advocates are urging urgent changes to ensure no child falls through the cracks again.
