Sara Sharif’s family to appeal against sentences for her murder
Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool were sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Sara last month, with minimum terms of 40 years and 33 years respectively.
The father and stepmother of Sara Sharif are now seeking to appeal the sentences they received for her murder.
The trial at the Old Bailey revealed that the 10-year-old suffered “unimaginable pain, misery, and anxiety” as she was subjected to repeated beatings, burns, bites, and restraints at the family home in Woking, Surrey.
Urfan Sharif, 42, and Beinash Batool, 30, were convicted and sentenced to life in prison for Sara’s murder, with respective minimum terms of 40 years and 33 years.
Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, who was found guilty of causing or allowing her death, received a 16-year jail term.
All three individuals have now applied to the Court of Appeal to appeal against their sentences.
Following Sara’s tragic death, calls were made to identify the judges and others involved in historical family court cases related to Sara.
Sara was discovered dead in a bunk bed at her home in Woking, Surrey, on August 10, 2023, after her father confessed to beating her excessively while in Pakistan.
She had sustained 71 “fresh” injuries, including 25 broken bones, burns from iron, scald marks on her feet, and human bite marks.
Shortly after Sara’s passing, Sharif and Batool arranged for the family, including her siblings, to travel to Pakistan. They returned to the UK on September 13, 2023, leaving the children behind and were apprehended upon arrival at Gatwick airport.
In a televised court session at the Old Bailey, Mr. Justice Cavanagh described Sara’s death as the result of years of neglect and abuse, particularly by Sharif.
He addressed Sharif directly, accusing him of subjecting Sara to harsh discipline and asserting his power over the family.
Batool, according to the judge, was willing to overlook Sara’s suffering, while Malik’s alleged lack of awareness of the situation was deemed unacceptable.
