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Guardian

Sara Sharif — a 10-year-old girl who was found dead at her Surrey home in the UK last August — was reportedly forced by her father, Urfan Sharif, to do sit-ups all night because she had been "naughty" and had hidden his keys, jurors at the Old Bailey heard on Thursday.

Sky News

Sara's stepmother, Beinash Batool — who, along with Urfan and his brother Faisal Malik, is under trial for the girl's murder — reportedly informed her sister Qandeela Saboohi about the physical abuse she suffered at the hands of Urfan hand in WhatsApp messages made between 2020 and 2023.

The Telegraph

In one such message, Beinash referred to an image of a bruised Sara Sharif, saying, "You haven't even seen her body. It's a whole lot worse."

In another message, Beinash reportedly said Sara couldn't walk and fainted in the kitchen after Urfan reportedly forced her to do sit-ups all night. Beinash reportedly told Qandeela that the family even considered removing Sara from school because her bruising would be visible.

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The Times

Beinash, Urfan, and Faisal are accused of abuse leading to Sara's death. While Beinash and Urfan have blamed each other for the violence, Faisal, a university student, has denied involvement.

Careappointments

The trio attempted to flee to Pakistan on Aug. 10, two days after Sarah's body was found with over 70 injuries to her body. However, they were arrested on Sept. 13, 2023, at Gatwick Airport.

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Sara Sharif — a 10-year-old girl who was found dead at her Surrey home in the UK last August — was forced by her father, Urfan Sharif, to do sit-ups all night because she had been "naughty" and hid his keys, jurors at the Old Bailey heard on Thursday.

Sara's stepmother, Beinash Batool — who, along with Urfan and his brother Faisal Malik, is under trial for the girl's murder — reportedly informed her sister Qandeela Saboohi about the physical abuse she suffered in Urfan's hand via WhatsApp messages in 2020 and 2023.

In one such message, Beinash referred to an image of a bruised Sara Sharif, saying, "You haven't even seen her body, it's a whole lot worse." Before her death, Urfan placed a "homemade hood" over Sara's head, restrained her, beat her with a cricket bat, and burned her with an iron.

In another message, Beinash reportedly said Sara couldn't walk and fainted in the kitchen after Urfan "made her do sit-ups all night." Beinash reportedly told Qandeela that the family even considered removing Sara from school because her body was so badly bruised that it couldn't be covered up.

Beinash, Urfan, and Faisal are accused of a campaign of abuse leading to Sara's death. While Beinash and Urfan have blamed each other for the violence, Faisal, a university student, has denied involvement.

The trio attempted to flee to Pakistan on Aug. 10, two days after Sarah's body was found with over 70% injuries, including human bite marks and burns. However, they were arrested on Sept. 13, 2023, at Gatwick Airport.

Sara's tragic death must not be forgotten, for her suffering symbolizes a call for urgent reform to protect all children. Allegedly tortured and silenced, her young life was surrounded by adults who witnessed her abuse, yet remained silent. As a society, we can't afford complacency, nor does the notion that "reasonable chastisement" have any place in a world that values the innocence and rights of children.

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How many more children like Sara Sharif will be killed before smacking is banned?

Independent

Independent #

Sara Sharif ‘never smiled once’ in months before death, says neighbour

This incident highlights a harrowing systemic failure in child safeguarding in the UK. She was failed by an overwhelmed, under-resourced, rigid bureaucracy, unable to act in time. Despite prior reforms and pleas for resources, children like Sara remain neglected in a crisis-laden system. Her death underscores a desperate need for accountability and a radical overhaul in safeguarding vulnerable children.

Sacpa

‘Sara Sharif was let down by people meant to protect her’: Campaigner warns authorities are guilty of a ‘catastrophic’ safeguarding failure after it emerged ten-year-old was on social services’ radar 

‘Catastrophic’ safeguarding failure over death of Sara Sharif, ten

There's a 59% chance that the UK will abolish the two-child benefit cap before 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus

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Will the UK Abolish the Two-Child Benefit Cap before 2035?

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UK: 10-Year-Old's Killer Dad Made Her Do Sit Ups All Night

Murders and attempted murders

United Kingdom

Child abuse & neglect

Sara Sharif's tragic death must not be forgotten. Allegedly tortured and silenced, her young life was surrounded by adults who witnessed her abuse, yet remained silent. Society can't afford complacency, and criminal justice in this case must prevail in a world that values the innocence and rights of children.

This tragic case highlights a larger systemic failure when it comes to children's services in the UK. Sara Sharif was failed by an overwhelmed, under-resourced, rigid bureaucracy, unable to act in time. Despite prior reforms and pleas for resources, children like Sara remain neglected in a crisis-laden system — there's a need for a radical overhaul of these safety nets.

There's a 55% chance that the UK will abolish the two-child benefit cap before 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

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UK: 10-Year-Old's Killer Dad Made Her Do Sit Ups All Night

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