Sara Sharif, a 10-year-old girl, suffered from 25 unexplained fractures in various parts of her body, including a rare neck injury that left experts puzzled. The injuries were believed to be caused by multiple incidents of blunt force trauma over several weeks. Sara had more than 70 injuries, including human bite marks, burns, and skeletal fractures, before she was found dead in her home in Woking, Surrey.
Her father, Urfan Sharif, stepmother, Beinash Batool, and uncle, Faisal Malik, are currently on trial for her murder at the Old Bailey. The court heard from Professor Owen Arthurs, a consultant paediatric radiologist, who stated that the fractures were highly unusual and could not be explained by accidents or a single traumatic event. He described Sara’s injuries as the result of blunt force trauma over a period of time.
In addition to the fractures, Sara had a rare hyoid bone fracture, which is typically associated with manual strangulation. The injuries to her spine were consistent with high-velocity impacts or multiple traumas, ruling out any underlying bone abnormalities or diseases. The fractures were estimated to have occurred in the weeks leading up to her death, with the hyoid bone fracture believed to have happened six to 12 weeks before her passing.
During the trial, it was revealed that Sara’s cause of death was complications arising from multiple injuries and neglect. Her father, who called the police from Pakistan to report the incident, admitted to beating her and expressed remorse in a note found next to her pillow. Traces of Sara’s blood were found in various locations in the family home, along with homemade restraints used to control her.
The defendants have denied the charges of murder and causing or allowing the death of a child. The trial is ongoing, with more details emerging about the tragic case. The evidence presented so far paints a grim picture of the events leading up to Sara’s untimely death, shedding light on the horrific abuse she suffered. The court continues to hear testimonies and gather evidence to determine the truth behind this heartbreaking story.
