Warning: This article discusses child abuse, which some may find distressing.
A 10-year-old girl from Britain, Sara Sharif, was tragically discovered dead in her home, having suffered burns, potential bite marks, broken bones, and severe bruising. Her father, Urfan Sharif, 42, contacted the police claiming he ‘legally’ ‘disciplined’ her due to her ‘naughtiness’.
Urfan Sharif, along with stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and uncle Faisal Malik, 28, are currently facing trial for Sara’s murder. Prosecutors describe the ordeal as a ‘campaign of abuse’.
In court, it was revealed that Sharif made an emotional call to police on August 10, but his distress made him hard to understand.
Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC described the situation: “[They] interrupted and said ‘take a deep breath and tell me what’s happened.’
“999 operators are used to hearing all kinds of dreadful things, but this one cannot have expected the answer he got to that question.”
During the call, Sharif confessed: “I’ve killed my daughter.”
He allegedly elaborated: “I legally punished her and she died.”
When the operator requested further details, Sharif explained his daughter had been ‘naughty’.
He added: “I beat her up, it wasn’t my intention to kill her, but I beat her up too much.”
Sharif requested police presence at his home, stating his daughter was ‘alone’. Upon arrival, officers found Sara on the bottom bunk in an upstairs room.
A note left by 42-year-old Sharif near Sara’s body allegedly read: “It’s me Urfan Sharif who killed my daughter by beating.
“I swear to God that my intention was not to kill her. But I lost it. I am running away because I am scared.”
The family had fled to Pakistan, departing on August 9 and arriving on August 10.
In court, Emlyn Jones asserted that Sara’s mistreatment was not isolated, suggesting she had been subjected to sustained physical abuse.
“So no, Sara had not just been beaten up. Her treatment, certainly in the last few weeks of her life, had been appalling; it had been brutal,” Emlyn Jones stated.
Sharif claimed his wife, Batool, primarily cared for Sara, suggesting his confessions aimed to protect her.
Conversely, Batool described Sharif as a ‘violent disciplinarian’ who frequently assaulted Sara, claiming fear prevented her from intervening.
Malik, also on trial, denied any knowledge of Sara’s abuse.
The trial continues.
If these issues resonate with you or you need to discuss a child’s welfare confidentially, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)) is available 24/7, serving the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico.