Sarah Sharif’s father takes “full responsibility” for her death

• Sharif makes the admission during cross-examination at the Old Bailey.
• The father admits he beat Sarah “severely” for several weeks.
• He agrees to plead guilty to the crime of murdering a 10-year-old girl.

The father of Sarah Sharif, a 10-year-old girl found dead at her home in Britain, has taken “full responsibility” for her death, admitting he beat her with a cricket bat and a metal pole.

Sara was found dead in August 2023 at her home in Woking, a town south-west of London, after what prosecutors say was a campaign of “severe and repeated violence”.

Her father Urfan Sharif, 42, his wife and Sara Sharif’s stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and the girl’s uncle Faisal Malik, 29, are on trial at London’s Old Bailey, where they all deny murder and an alternative charge of causing or allowing her death. .

Sharif said he initially took responsibility for saving his family, but later testifying in court accused his wife of killing his daughter.

But on Wednesday, he said: “I admit what I said in a 999 call and my handwritten confession. Every word.”

During cross-examination, Batool’s wife’s barrister, Caroline Carberry KC, was asked: “Did you beat your daughter to death?” He replied, “Yes, he died because of me.”

He admitted beating Sarah “severely” for several weeks because he was angry that the student had started soiling herself and throwing up.

Carberry asked further: “You have pleaded not guilty to the crime of murder. Would you like to be charged again?’ He answered in the affirmative.

Meanwhile, Sharif’s lawyer Naeem Mian KC stood up and asked for time to speak to his accused. He told the court: “We would like to apply to see Sharif before he is charged.”

At his arraignment, Batool left the dock in tears and the trial was briefly adjourned.

When Sharif returned to the witness stand, he took full responsibility for Sarah’s death and for beating her to death.

Carberry asked: “What had he done to deserve such a beating in your mind?” Sharif replied: “Nothing.” He continued, “Why were you hitting her so hard?” He replied, “I was wrong.”

An autopsy found the 10-year-old girl had broken bones and 71 external injuries, including burns and human bite marks.

Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC previously said a blood-stained cricket bat, a rolling pin with Sara’s DNA on it, a metal pole, a belt and a rope were found near the family’s home.