The heart-wrenching case of 10-year-old Sara Sharif’s murder has been a global topic of sorrow and anger. Her father, Urfan Sharif, admitted to the tragic killing, and the events that followed have been equally disturbing.
The sensitive details surrounding Sara’s ordeal are truly unsettling. Within the confines of the prison, news about Urfan quickly spread among the inmates, who decided to take matters into their own hands.
It was August 8, 2023, when the heartbreaking news captured the world’s attention. Sara Sharif, a delightful and affectionate young girl, became a symbol of tragedy.
The horrific truth unveiled that Sara had suffered immensely—she was hooded, beaten, and burned during a prolonged period of abuse lasting two years before authorities discovered her lifeless body in her family home in Woking, Surrey, reported the BBC.
When police entered the home, they found Sara lying in a bunk bed beside a troubling letter of confession penned by her own father. “Whoever sees this note,” it read, “it’s me, Urfan Sharif, who killed my daughter by beating. I am running away because I am scared.”
He attempted to explain his actions in the note, saying, “I swear to God that my intention was not to kill her. But I lost it.”
Shockingly, on the day prior to her body’s discovery, Urfan, alongside two family members, fled to Pakistan.
The authorities launched an extensive international search, eventually apprehending Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, her father, Urfan Sharif, 42, and stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, all of whom have been charged with her murder.
The Court’s Verdict
Court proceedings revealed Sara endured more than 70 injuries, including multiple fractures, puncture wounds, a traumatic brain injury, burn marks, and bite marks—a horrendous list of sufferings.
Initially, the accused trio denied any wrongdoing. However, in court, Urfan finally admitted, “she died because of me.”
On December 17, 2024, Urfan received a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years, and Batool was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 33 years. In describing their actions, Mr. Justice Cavanagh expressed that their prolonged cruelty was almost beyond belief. Faisal Malik received a 16-year sentence for causing or allowing the death of Sara.
In response, Sara’s mother, Olga Domin, voiced her anguish in a court statement, branding the accused as “sadists,” though she felt even that term fell short. She mournfully reminded everyone that Sara is now “an angel looking down on us from heaven,” free from any further suffering.
A Grim Welcome in Prison
Facing life in prison, Urfan quickly experienced the harsh and unforgiving prison culture where crimes against children are met with contempt.
Inside HMP Belmarsh, reputed as Britain’s Guantanamo Bay, Urfan reportedly tried to stay inconspicuous. However, his notoriety as a child killer made him an immediate target among inmates.
As stated by a source who spoke to the Sun, “word quickly got round about who he was.” Despite the severity of their own offenses, many inmates harbored strong feelings against those who harm children.
Just a few weeks into his prison term, on New Year’s Day, Urfan was violently attacked by two fellow inmates who were appalled by his mistreatment of Sara. The attackers used a crude weapon fashioned from a tuna can lid, leaving Urfan with severe cuts on his neck and face.
“He was lucky to survive,” the source continued, recounting Urfan’s need for stitches and the long-lasting scars as a potent reminder of the assault. “The guards were on high alert to protect him, considering the extensive media coverage his case received,” they added.
Reports allege that one of Urfan’s assailants was Steve Sansom, an inmate already serving a life sentence for the 2024 murder and dismemberment of Sarah Mayhew, as well as a prior conviction for the 1999 murder of cab driver Terrence Boyle.
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