Sara Sharif's death: Parents sentenced to life over abuse and murder

Urfan Sharif, 42, and Beinash Batool, 30, the father and stepmother of 10-year-old British-Pakistani girl Sara Sharif, have been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for her murder following a prolonged campaign of abuse.

The jury at London's Old Bailey deliberated for nearly 10 hours before delivering the verdict.

The court has sentenced Sharif and Batool to life imprisonment for the tragic death of the young girl

Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, who also lived in the family home, was convicted of causing or allowing her death.

The verdicts came after a trial in which the prosecution described the horrific abuse the young girl endured before her death.

Sara died on August 8, 2023, at the family home in Surrey. She had suffered a catalogue of 70 injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, 25 fractures, scalding wounds, human bite marks, and an ulcerated burn to her buttocks.

Experts described the injuries as consistent with prolonged abuse and violence as the abuse reportedly included the girl being hooded, restrained, and beaten throughout her short life.

Her tragic death prompted an outpouring of grief, particularly from her mother, Olga Sharif, who issued a statement through Surrey Police following the verdict.

"My dear Sara, I ask God to please take care of my little girl, she was taken too soon," Olga Sharif said. "Sara had beautiful brown eyes and an angelic voice. Her smile could brighten up the darkest room. She will always be in our hearts, her laughter will bring warmth to our lives. We miss Sara very much. Love you, princess."

On December 12, the father, stepmother, and uncle of 10-year-old Sara Sharif were found guilty of her murder, a case that shocked the UK and triggered an international manhunt.

After a week of jury deliberations at London's Old Bailey, the judge announced that sentencing for the "extremely stressful and traumatic" case will take place on Tuesday.

Sara was found dead in her bed in Woking, southwest of London, on August 10, 2023. The three convicted family members had fled to Pakistan the day before her body was discovered.

Her father, Urfan Sharif, left behind a handwritten note by her body stating that he hadn't meant to kill her, but "lost it."

The three relatives were arrested upon their return to the UK a month later.

During the highly charged trial last month, Sharif, a taxi driver, admitted to killing his daughter but claimed he had not intended to harm her. Initially, he had denied all charges and blamed his wife, Beinash Batool, for Sara's death.

Sharif also admitted to causing multiple fractures in the weeks leading up to Sara’s death, including beating her with a cricket bat while she was bound with packaging tape, throttling her with his bare hands, and breaking the hyoid bone in her neck.