MONSTER Urfan Sharif unleashed a campaign of torture and abuse on his daughter that lasted years and ultimately led to the 10-year-old’s death.
Here we look at who Sara’s dad is, how long he was sentenced to and the tragic circumstances surrounding the little girl’s murder.
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Custody photo issued by Surrey Police of Urfan Sharif, the father of Sara SharifCredit: AP
Who is Urfan Sharif?
Urfan Sharif is the father of Sara Sharif.
Little Sara, 10, was found dead at her home in Woking, Surrey, on August 10, 2023.
Urfan Sharif and his partner Beinash Batool had already fled the UK for Pakistan when the schoolgirl was discovered — they had travelled the previous day on August 9.
Urfan and Batool left Britain with his brother Faisal Malik and five children aged between one and 13, before going into hiding.
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Interpol launched an international manhunt for the trio with police in Pakistan liaising with cops in the UK.
But on September 13, he flew back to Britain after surrendering to cops.
Sharif, Batool and Mailk travelled on an Emirates flight from Sialkot in the Punjab to Dubai.
The trio transferred from Dubai to London Gatwick, where they were arrested on arrival.
Sources in Pakistan reported they surrendered to authorities in order to be allowed to return to the UK, following negotiations through a lawyer.
Sialkot police spokesperson Khan Mudassir said three people had been arrested and flown to the UK.
Moment armed police storm plane at Gatwick to arrest Sara Sharif’s dad & stepmum – as pair found GUILTY of murder
Sharif was charged with causing or allowing the death of a child on September 15, 2024.
He appeared at Guildford Magistrate’s Court alongside Sara’s step-mum Batool.
What happened to Sara Sharif?
Sara Sharif’s body was found at a home in Woking on August 10, 2023, sparking a murder investigation.
Her body was discovered after her father Urfan called 999 from Pakistan.
A post-mortem examination found she had suffered “multiple and extensive injuries” over a “sustained and extended” period of time.
Cops previously found Sara’s five siblings, who were aged between one and 13 at the time, after a raid at their grandfather’s home in Jhelum.
Urfan was sliced up badly in his cell by two others who rushed in. It was planned and they used a makeshift weapon — made from the lid of a tin of tuna
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An inquest on August 29 heard that Sara’s death is “likely to be unnatural”.
On September 15, 2023, Sharif, Batool and Malik appeared at Guildford Magistrates Court and are charged with Sara’s murder.
Timeline of events
January 2023: Sara started wearing a hijab to school, which hid most of her face.
March 2023: The child’s school noticed bruising on Sara’s face when her hijab moved.
April 2023: To hide the ongoing abuse, Urfan Sharif informed the school that Sara will be homeschooled with immediate effect.
May-August 2023: Sara endured a brutal campaign of abuse, including being hooded, tied up, beaten with a cricket bat, burnt with an iron and bitten.
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Surrey Police of the arrested Urfan Sharif when he landed at Gatwick AirportCredit: PA
August 8, 2023: Sara tragically died at the family home in Woking, Surrey.
August 9, 2023: Urfan Sharif, Beinash Batool and their family fled to Pakistan.
August 10, 2023: Sharif called Surrey Police from Pakistan, alerting them to Sara’s death, leading to the discovery of her body.
September 13, 2023: Sharif, Batool and Malik returned to the UK and were arrested on arrival at Gatwick Airport.
September 15, 2023: Sharif, Batool and Malik appeared at Guildford Magistrates Court and are charged with Sara’s murder.
October 8, 2024: The trial began at the Old Bailey.
November 6, 2024: During the trial, Sharif admitted to killing his daughter Sara, saying “I take full responsibility”.
December 11, 2024: Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool were found guilty of murdering Sara. Faisal Malik was found guilty of causing or allowing her death.
December 17, 2024: The three perpetrators were sentenced to the following terms at HMP Belmarsh:
- Urfan Sharif got life in prison with a minimum term of 40 years.
- Beinash Batool was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 33 years.
- Faisal Malik received 16 years behind bars.
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Urfan Sharif was sentenced to lie in prison at HMP BelmarshCredit: Alamy
During sentencing Mr Justice Cavanagh said Sara’s death was the “culmination of years of neglect, frequent assaults, and what can only be described as the torture of this small child”.
The judge added that the final thing Sara felt before she died was her “own father beating her for supposedly faking injury”.
January 1, 2025: Urfan Sharif’s throat was slashed in prison with the jagged lid of a tin of tuna.
Two inmates ambushed the 43-year-old in his cell on New Year’s Day — just two weeks into his life sentence.
A source said: “Urfan was sliced up badly in his cell by two others who rushed in. It was planned and they used a makeshift weapon — made from the lid of a tin of tuna.
“He was sliced in the neck and face, and is still in healthcare and in a very bad way.
“He was lucky to survive, has had to have stitches and will have scars as a permanent reminder of the attack. The guards tried to keep him safe because he obviously had a target on his back after the case was such big news.
“Something like this was always on the cards, and an attack was probably only a matter of time.
“Sharif has tried to keep his head down since coming into the jail, but word quickly got round about who he was.
“Inmates were not happy he is in there with them and, although the other prisoners are in for heinous crimes, a lot of them don’t like people who attack children.
“A lot of them are saying how it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving guy.”