Sara Sharif's dad and step-mother charged with 10-year-old's murder

The dad and stepmother of Sara Sharif have been charged with murder following the death of the 10-year-old last month.

The day before little girl was found dead in her Surrey home on 10 August, her father Urfan Sharif, 41, his partner Beinash Batool, 29, and his brother Faisal Malik, 28, travelled to Islamabad, Pakistan.

A post-mortem examination found the girl had suffered 'multiple and extensive injuries' over a 'sustained and extended' period of time.

Her three relatives were arrested on Wednesday evening at Gatwick Airport as they disembarked a flight from Dubai, and have now all been charged with murder.

Surrey Police confirmed the Sharif, Batool and Malik, saying they were also charged with causing or allowing the death of a child.

All three are set to appear at Guildford Magistrate’s Court today.

PA

A Surrey police spokesman said: "Three people have been charged with the murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, whose body was found at her home address in Woking on 10 August.

"The Crown Prosecution Service has today (15 September), authorised charges against three people, including Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif, 41, Urfan’s partner, Beinash Batool, 29, and Urfan’s brother, Faisal Malik, 28.

"They have also been charged with causing or allowing the death of a child.

"All three have been remanded in custody to appear at Guildford Magistrate’s Court later today.

"Sara’s mother has been informed of this latest development and is being supported by specialist officers."

Five of Sara's siblings, aged between one and 13 years old, travelled with Sharif, Batool and Malik to Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, on 9 August.

Family handout

Surrey Police had previously said they were working to secure the children's safe return after a court ruled that they would be moved to temporary accommodation in a government facility.

After the arrest, Sara's mum Olga Sharif said she felt 'huge relief'.

She told The Sun: "I am very happy that the police have made arrests.

“It is a huge relief and something I didn’t think would happen this quickly.

“I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders but there is still a long way to go before I feel closure.

“What is important now is that the police can investigate with no information being kept back or put to the side.

“This needs everyone to work together.

“I have had to wait a long time for this and I didn’t know if they would ever be able to investigate what happened to my daughter.”