Last update:02 November 2024, 3:41 p.m. IST

Sara Sharif’s father, Urfan Sharif, is on trial for alleged abuse, including forcing his daughter to do sit-ups before her death

On Thursday, the court heard how the girl was literally beaten by her father. (@SalwanMomika3/X)

The British trial of Urfan Sharif (42), his wife Beinash Batool (30) and his brother Faisal Malik (29) opened this week, revealing details of the abuse suffered by the young Anglo girl -Pakistani Sara Sharif, whose death in August last year led to an international audience. manhunt.

British prosecutors say the trio engaged in a prolonged campaign of violence against 10-year-old Sara before her body was found at their home in Surrey, on Daily Mail reported. During the proceedings, the court heard that Urfan Sharif forced Sara to do sit-ups all night as punishment for hiding his keys. Batool said that after a severe beating, Sharif forced Sara to raise her arms, fearing she would break her limbs.

“Beat the shit out of Sara”

“I literally have to push Urfan away and save Sara,” Batool allegedly told his sister Qandeela Saboohi in WhatsApp messages shared with the jury. In these messages, Batool described her husband as a “psychopath” who “screw up shit.” Sara.” She expressed distress over Sara’s condition, saying she had been “literally beaten to death” and had passed out from exhaustion. “She’s covered in bruises, literally beaten black,” Batool said in a post.

She also revealed that Sharif asked her to cover Sara’s bruises with makeup and sunglasses to prevent teachers from noticing. The court saw photographs of Sara’s injuries and heard of incidents in which she was physically attacked for behavior deemed “nasty” or “rebellious”. In one instance, Batool recounted how Sharif reacted violently after spilling hot tea, damaging furniture and threatening Sara. “He’s gone crazy,” she told British media.

‘I lost it’

British prosecutors say that on August 8, 2023, Sharif killed Sara before fleeing to Pakistan with his family. From there, he contacted authorities to admit that he “beat her too much.” A handwritten note found near Sara’s body read: “I swear to God it was not my intention to kill her.” But I lost it. »

Despite reports from Sara’s school of visible bruising on the child months before her death, social services did not take further action, the British newspaper reported. Batool expressed regret for not reporting Sharif earlier, saying in his messages: “If something happens to Sara, I won’t be able to forgive myself. » Jurors were shown video footage capturing the moment police arrested the accused upon his return from Pakistan on September 13. , 2023.

In the video, Batool is seen raising his hand and responding to the police’s demands, saying, “I think you’re looking for us.” » All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and causing or permitting the death of a child. The trial continues as prosecutors present evidence detailing the abuse that led to Sara’s death.

Location :

London, United Kingdom (UK)