Sara Sharif’s father acknowledges using a cricket bat to beat daughter to death

LONDON: In a shocking development at the Old Bailey, Urfan Sharif admitted in court that he “takes full responsibility” for the untimely death of his 10-year-old daughter, Sara Sharif, and confessed to her murder.

Sharif described the severe abuse he subjected the girl to, admitting that he beat her with a metal pole and cricket bat till she died on August 8, 2023, just days before her body was found in their Surrey home.

Caroline Carberry KC, who asked him directly if he had beaten her to death, forced the confession out of him during cross-examination. “Yes, I am to blame for her death,” Sharif said. He disclosed that over the course of several weeks, he had hit Sara “severely,” allegedly out of rage at her numerous episodes of vomiting and self-soiling.

In connection with what prosecutors have called a “campaign of abuse” against Sara, Sharif, 42, his wife, Beinash Batool, 30, and his brother, Faisal Malik, 29, are all facing charges. Shortly after Sara’s passing, the three escaped to Pakistan, and Sharif later admitted to the British authorities that he had “beaten her up too much.”

Sharif’s statement was further supported by a handwritten letter discovered next to Sara’s fully clothed body, which read, “I swear to God that my intention was not to kill her.” But I snapped.

The court was shown the horrifying results of the medical examination. Sara had 71 exterior injuries, including burns, bite marks, and fractures, according to her postmortem.

As Carberry questioned him about the specifics of his alleged acts, Sharif repeatedly said, “I accept everything,” as if unable to look at the pictures of Sara’s injuries.

Two days prior to her murder, Sara was seen dancing in a frightening video clip from August 6 that was shown by the prosecution. Sharif acknowledged viciously hitting her that same night in spite of this peek of her vibrant personality.

Later, in order to postpone further proceedings, Sharif’s defence team requested a private conference with him in court.

Sharif and the other defendants, meanwhile, continue to enter not guilty pleas to the accusations of murder and causing or permitting the death of the child as the trial goes on.