"Our family is the best in town. We spread love all around the world. Those were the words scribbled by 10-year-old Sara Sharif in her red notebook, suggesting that the schoolgirl enjoyed a happy childhood with her father and stepmother. Yet other notes hinted at a strict regime of discipline and fear in their Woking household, with Sara writing a letter to her father to apologise for answering back, writing:Please forgive me I am so, so sorry."
"Nothing could have prepared jurors however for details of the obscene level of violence inflicted upon the little girl, who was repeatedly beaten, burnt and bitten during the final months of her life. She succumbed to her injuries on 8 August last year, having suffered a traumatic brain injury, 25 fractures, an ulcerated burn to her buttocks and scalding to her ankles."
"Her father, Urfan Sharif, his partner Beinash Batool and his brother Faisal Malik all fled to Pakistan and were the subject of an international manhunt, until returning to the UK to be charged with her murder. The two people who should have ensured her safety have now been found guilty of her murder, with Batool and Sharif facing life sentences. Meanwhile, her uncle has been convicted of causing or allowing her death."
Ten-year-old Sara Sharif endured escalating physical abuse and died on 8 August last year from a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, burns and scalds. She suffered 25 fractures, an ulcerated burn to her buttocks and scalding to her ankles. Her father, Urfan Sharif, his partner Beinash Batool and his brother Faisal Malik fled to Pakistan, returned to the UK and were charged; Batool and Sharif face life sentences while Malik was convicted of causing or allowing her death. Neighbours reported screaming and obscene language; school staff noted bruises and concern when Sara was removed from class and homeschooled. Social services, police and family courts had prior knowledge of allegations against Sharif but failed to prevent him gaining custody. Sara’s notes combined affectionate phrases with apologies and signs of fear and strict discipline.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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