Sara Sharif’s father, stepmother, and uncle have been sentenced at the Old Bailey after the 10-year-old girl was murdered following a campaign of abuse inside the family’s home in Surrey. The case has shocked the nation and prompted reform of child protection services as Sara was repeatedly abused for a number of years before her tragic death in August last year. Her family left her body at their home in Woking and fled to Pakistan, where they remained fugitives for several weeks before returning to the UK to face justice.
Here are five key takeaways from the sentencing:
1. Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif, was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years in prison after being described as ‘mainly responsible’ for his daughter’s death.
2. Stepmother Beinash Batool received a minimum term of 33 years after the judge acknowledged that she was trapped in a ‘coercive relationship’ with Sharif but failed to save Sara as she was not her biological child.
3. Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, was sentenced to 16 years for causing or allowing Sara’s death as he ‘stood by and did nothing’ to protect the young girl while living with the family.
4. At the beginning of the sentencing, Sara’s mother, Olga Domin, gave a statement calling Sharif and Batool ‘sadists’ and ‘executioners.’
5. The judge expressed concerns about the case raising questions on how to prevent similar tragedies and highlighted fears over ‘unsupervised homeschooling’ of vulnerable children.
The tragic case of Sara Sharif unfolded over time, with multiple missed opportunities to save her. From teachers noticing bruises to social services taking no further action, the timeline of events leading to Sara’s untimely death paints a heartbreaking picture of prolonged abuse and neglect.
In response to the sentencing, the Crown Prosecution Service emphasized that the sentences reflect the cruelty and gravity of the crimes committed against Sara. The NSPCC called for urgent reform of safeguarding children to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
As the defendants received their sentences, the judge described the degree of cruelty towards Sara as ‘almost inconceivable.’ He highlighted the gruesome treatment the young girl endured and emphasized the lack of remorse shown by the perpetrators.
The emotional impact of Sara’s story is evident in the victim impact statements read out in court, with Sara’s mother branding the killers as ‘sadistic executioners.’ The horrific abuse Sara suffered for years culminated in a heartbreaking tragedy that has left a lasting impact on all those involved.
Ultimately, the sentencing of Sara Sharif’s father, stepmother, and uncle serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable children and preventing such atrocities from happening again. The justice system has delivered consequences for the perpetrators, but Sara’s memory will live on as a symbol of resilience and the urgent need for reform in child protection services.
