A UK court is set to hear appeals on Thursday from the father and stepmother of Sara Sharif, a British-Pakistani girl who was tortured and murdered after years of abuse. Both were sentenced to life in prison for the horrific crime.
The case of Urfan Sharif and his wife Beinash Batool sparked outrage across the UK after details of Sara’s suffering were revealed in court. The 10-year-old had endured brutal mistreatment, and authorities failed to protect her despite warning signs.
Horrific Details of Abuse
Sara’s lifeless body was discovered in August 2023 in her bed, covered in bites, bruises, broken bones, and burns from a hot iron and boiling water.
At the Old Bailey court, Judge John Cavanagh condemned the couple for acts of “extreme cruelty”, stating they had treated Sara as “worthless”, using her as a servant. He emphasized that Batool, as her stepmother, failed to protect her, and neither parent showed “a shred of remorse.”
Sentencing and Appeals
- Urfan Sharif (43): 40 years in prison
- Beinash Batool (30): 33 years in prison
- Faisal Malik (29) – Sara’s uncle: 16 years for causing or allowing her death
All three are appealing their sentences at the Royal Courts of Justice. Meanwhile, UK Solicitor General Lucy Rigby has also challenged Sharif’s sentence, arguing that it was “unduly lenient.”
Shocking Post-Mortem Findings
A post-mortem revealed:
- 71 fresh injuries and 25 broken bones
- Beaten with a metal pole and cricket bat
- Tied up with tape, rope, and a plastic bag over her head
- Forced to wear nappies and denied access to the bathroom
Police described the case as one of the most distressing they had ever encountered.
Escape to Pakistan and Arrest
After Sara’s death, the three suspects fled to Pakistan with five other children, leaving behind a handwritten note in which Sharif claimed he never intended to kill his daughter.
Following a month on the run, they returned to the UK and were arrested upon landing. The five surviving children remain in Pakistan.
The appeal hearing will determine whether the sentences should be reduced or increased, amid continued public outcry over the tragic case.
