Court Weighs Appeals in Sara Sharif Murder Sentencing

Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother challenge life sentences, while the Solicitor General seeks a harsher penalty for the father’s role in her death.

Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool were sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, with minimum terms of 40 and 33 years, respectively.
The Solicitor General has argued that Sharif’s sentence is unduly lenient, urging a whole life order due to the extreme cruelty and premeditated abuse inflicted on Sara.
Sara endured years of severe abuse, including 25 broken bones, burns, and other injuries, before her death in August 2023 at her home in Woking, Surrey.
The court also heard appeals from Sharif's stepmother, Batool, who argued her sentence was too long, and from Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, who was sentenced to 16 years for causing or allowing her death.
The case has drawn criticism of social services, which failed to intervene despite multiple warnings, and has prompted changes to home-schooling regulations in the UK.