Sara Sharif's mum pays tribute to 'angelic' 10-year-old girl after father and stepmother found guilty of her murder
The mother of Sara Sharif has paid tribute to her 'angelic' daughter after the 10-year-old's father and stepmother were found guilty of the child's murder.
Sara Sharif was found dead in her family home on 10 August, 2023 after her father Urfan Sharif, 42, called police and told them he'd killed his daughter and left her body at his address in Hammond Road, Woking, UK.
Police also found a note next to the 10-year-old's body written by Urfan Sharif, in which he again claimed responsibility for her death.
Urfan Sharif and partner Beinash Batool, 30, were found guilty of murdering the 10-year-old Sara, while the girl's uncle Faisal Malik, 29, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child.
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Experts who examined Sara Sharif's body found evidence of around 100 separate internal and external injuries, including evidence of burns inflicted with an iron as well as human bite marks.
Sara's mum Olga said in a statement through Surrey Police: "My dear Sara, I ask God to please take care of my little girl, she was taken too soon. Sara had beautiful brown eyes and an angelic voice. Sara's smile could brighten up the darkest room.
“Everyone who knew Sara will know her unique character, her beautiful smile and loud laugh.
“She will always be in our hearts, her laughter will bring warmth to our lives. We miss Sara very much. Love you Princess.”
The call made from Urfan Sharif to police was made after he, Batool and Malik had left the UK to fly to Pakistan with five of Sara's siblings, the tickets had been bought on 8 August, 2023, the day Sara is believed to have died.
Craig Emmerson, detective chief inspector with Surrey Police, said that this had been among the 'most difficult and distressing cases' the force had ever encountered.
He said: "Sara’s death has been one of the most difficult and distressing cases that Surrey Police has ever dealt with. The murder of a child is absolutely shocking but the abuse Sara suffered during her short life has made this case particularly disturbing.
“Today justice for Sara has been served and our thoughts remain with Sara’s mother and her siblings at this extremely difficult time.”
He added that Urfan Sharif, Batool and Malik 'only ever sought to preserve their own interests' and 'have shown no remorse for their truly dreadful behaviour'.
The three will be sentenced at The Central Criminal Court, London, on 17 December.
Joe Harker