Tue Dec 17 12:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Sara Sharif’s Killers Sentenced to Life in Prison

**London, UK** – Urfan Sharif, 43, and Beinash Batool, 30, were today sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of their 10-year-old daughter, Sara Sharif. Sharif will serve a minimum of 40 years, while Batool’s minimum term is 33 years. The sentencing followed a harrowing trial at the Old Bailey which detailed a prolonged campaign of torture and abuse leading to Sara’s death on August 8, 2023, in Woking, Surrey.

Mr. Justice Cavanagh described the medical evidence as “harrowing,” revealing that Sara suffered 71 fresh injuries in the days leading up to her death, including multiple fractures, a serious brain injury, and burn wounds. The judge stated that Sara was “battered with great force again and again” and subjected to a campaign of torture, including being tied up and having plastic bags placed over her head. He added that the injuries were so severe they were comparable to those sustained in a high-speed car crash.

Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, was found not guilty of murder but convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child and sentenced to 16 years in prison. The judge highlighted the complicity of Batool, noting that while she was subjected to a coercive relationship with Sharif, she failed to seek help for Sara and participated in the cover-up of the abuse.

The court heard evidence of Sara’s vibrant personality, described by teachers and her mother as bubbly, confident, and full of life. Despite the horrific abuse she endured, Sara’s resilience shone through in videos showing her dancing and playing the guitar. However, the judge noted that the abuse had become normalized for Sara, who had known nothing else her entire life.

The judge also addressed the actions of Sharif and Batool after Sara’s death, including their attempts to flee to Pakistan and their subsequent bizarre video statement minimizing the events. He emphasized the dangers of unsupervised homeschooling for vulnerable children, highlighting the case as a stark example of the risks involved. The sentencing concludes a tragic chapter in Sara’s short life, leaving a legacy of sorrow and raising serious questions about child protection measures.

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