The father of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, found dead in her Woking home in August 2023, reportedly told police, "I beat her up too much," as he faces murder charges in a trial at London's Old Bailey.
Urfan Sharif, 42, along with his wife, Beinash Batool, 30, and Sara's uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, are accused of her murder, with alternative charges of causing or allowing her death. All three deny the charges and shift blame onto each other.
Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones revealed that after fleeing to Pakistan, Sharif called British police, stating, "I legally punished her and she died." He claimed he did not intend to kill Sara but admitted to excessive violence. A note in his handwriting found next to her body echoed this sentiment, stating, "I swear to God that my intention was not to kill her. But I lost it."
The court heard that Sara's body bore numerous injuries, including bruising, burns, and broken bones, indicating a pattern of severe abuse. Jones highlighted that the circumstances of her death could not have occurred without the knowledge of all three defendants, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the violence.
In a 999 call lasting around nine minutes, Sharif described Sara as "naughty" and admitted to beating her. When police arrived, they found her body in bed, appearing as if she were asleep. The prosecution argues that the horrific treatment Sara endured in her final weeks points to the complicity of all three adults in her life. The trial is expected to continue until December.