Father Denies Role in Death of 10-Year-Old Sara Sharif

Urfan Sharif, father of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, denied involvement in his daughter’s death while testifying in his murder trial on Tuesday.

Sara was found dead in her Woking, UK home in August 2023, following what prosecutors describe as a prolonged period of severe abuse. Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones informed jurors that Sara had suffered numerous injuries, including burns and bite marks, indicating sustained violence. Charged alongside Sharif are his wife and Sara’s stepmother, Beinash Batool, and Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik. All three face charges of murder and causing or allowing the death of a child. While each denies the charges, the defendants blame each other, according to the prosecution.

During the trial, Sharif’s lawyer, Naeem Mian, questioned him about his responsibility for Sara’s death. Sharif replied, “No,” adding that Sara was “beautiful, an angel” and fond of the color pink. He admitted to slapping Sara “a few occasions” for discipline but denied any sustained violence.

Earlier, Emlyn Jones presented evidence of Sharif’s statement to police, where he admitted, “It wasn’t my intention to kill her, but I beat her up too much.” However, Mian countered this portrayal, arguing that Sharif has been unfairly depicted as the primary aggressor, while Batool claimed Sharif was a “violent disciplinarian” whom she feared.

The trial, held at London’s Old Bailey court, is expected to conclude in December.