Trial of Sara Sharif's Father and Stepmother Highlights Conflicting Testimonies
Urfan Sharif admits to beating his daughter but denies intent to kill, while his wife Beinash Batool remains silent on the events leading to Sara's death.
- Urfan Sharif, his wife Beinash Batool, and his brother Faisal Malik are on trial at the Old Bailey for the murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif in August 2023.
- Sharif admitted to beating Sara with a cricket bat and a metal pole but claimed he did not intend to seriously harm or kill her.
- Defense lawyers argued that only Batool knows the full details of Sara's death, as she has chosen not to testify during the trial.
- Prosecutors described Sharif as manipulative and accused him of backtracking on his confessions to avoid a murder conviction.
- The trial has also revealed failures by social services and law enforcement to act on prior abuse allegations against Sharif, allowing him to retain custody of Sara.
The Independent 
BBC 
