Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Urfan Sharif ‘takes full responsibility’ for Sara’s death

I accept every single thing, said Urfan Sharif.

Urfan Sharif ‘takes full responsibility’ for Sara’s death

THE father of Sara Sharif has taken "full responsibility" for the death of the 10-year-old British Pakistani girl, the court heard.

During testimony at the Old Bailey on Wednesday (13th), 42-year-old Urfan Sharif admitted that Sara died "because of him."


His confession came under cross-examination, where he reversed his previous claims that his wife, Beinash Batool, 30, was to blame.

In court, Urfan acknowledged his previous confessions regarding Sara's death, saying, "I admit what I said in my phone call and my written note. Every single word."

During cross-examination by Caroline Carberry KC, representing Batool, Sharif interrupted to say, "I want to say something." Carberry pressed him directly: "It was you who inflicted those injuries on her, wasn’t it?" Sharif responded, "Yes."

Sara Sharif’s father Urfan Sharif and his partner Beinash Batool (Image credit: Surrey Police)

She continued, asking, "On the night of 6 August, you badly beat Sara?" to which he again replied, "Yes." Sharif went on to confirm that he caused fractures to Sara’s body, using a cricket bat and metal pole to strike her.

At this point, Batool, who had been sobbing in court, abruptly left, and the hearing was temporarily paused.

Sara was found dead at the family home in Woking, Surrey, on 10 August last year after the defendants fled to Pakistan. The 10-year-old suffered dozens of injuries including human bite marks and iron burns, jurors have heard.

Her death has captivated public attention, with disturbing evidence emerging of prolonged abuse.

Urfan, Batool, and Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, formerly of Hammond Road, Woking, deny Sara’s murder and causing or allowing her death.

During initial police investigations, Sara’s post-mortem examination revealed severe injuries consistent with prolonged physical abuse. Jurors heard that her body bore dozens of bruises, fractures, probable human bite marks, burns from an iron, and scalding from hot water.

The court heard evidence of a note Urfan left beside Sara’s body before the family’s departure to Pakistan. Written in haste, the note read, “I killed my daughter by beating.”

Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC shared that in addition to the injuries detailed in the post-mortem, investigators found a bloodstained cricket bat, a metal pole, and a rolling pin bearing Sara’s DNA near the family’s outhouse. Additional items, including a belt and rope, were also located in the home.

The trial continues, with the court working through extensive evidence and testimonies surrounding Sara’s final days.

More For You

Charli XCX and   George Danie
Charli XCX stuns in sheer Danielle Frankel dress at second wedding to George Daniel in Sicily
Instagram/billboarditalia

Charli XCX stuns in sheer Danielle Frankel dress at second wedding to George Daniel in Sicily

Highlights:

  • Charli XCX and George Daniel celebrated their second wedding in Scopello, Sicily.
  • The pop star wore a sheer custom Danielle Frankel gown with pearls and chiffon layers.
  • Guests included Troye Sivan, Amelia Dimoldenberg and The 1975’s Matty Healy.
  • The couple first tied the knot in Hackney, London, in July.

Charli XCX embraced modern bridal fashion once again as she married George Daniel for the second time, this time in Sicily. The Brat singer chose a sheer Danielle Frankel gown for the romantic seaside ceremony, making her ‘Charli XCX wedding dress’ one of the most talked-about celebrity bridal looks of the year. The wedding followed their first civil ceremony in London earlier this summer.

Charli XCX and George Daniel Charli XCX stuns in sheer Danielle Frankel dress at second wedding to George Daniel in Sicily Instagram/billboarditalia

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer Mandelson

Starmer talks with Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Getty

Starmer under pressure from party MPs after Mandelson dismissal

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer is facing questions within the Labour party after the sacking of US ambassador Peter Mandelson.

Mandelson was removed last week after Bloomberg published emails showing messages of support he sent following Jeffrey Epstein’s conviction for sex offences. The dismissal comes just ahead of US president Donald Trump’s state visit.

Keep ReadingShow less
Owen Cooper Emmy 2025

Emmy Awards 2025 winners list as Stephen Graham, Seth Rogen and Owen Cooper shine

Getty Images

Owen Cooper makes Emmy history at 15 as Seth Rogen and Netflix’s ‘Adolescence’ sweep 2025 awards

Highlights:

  • Netflix’s Adolescence dominates with six wins including best limited series
  • Owen Cooper makes history as youngest male Emmy winner at 15
  • Seth Rogen’s The Studio sets comedy record with 13 trophies
  • Stephen Colbert gets standing ovation as cancelled Late Show wins talk series

Netflix drama Adolescence and Apple TV+ satire The Studio led the 2025 Emmy Awards winners list, with British star Stephen Graham, Seth Rogen and teenage newcomer Owen Cooper among the biggest names of the night. The ceremony at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theatre also saw The Pitt and Severance secure major prizes, while Stephen Colbert returned to thunderous applause despite his late-night show’s cancellation.

Owen Cooper Emmy 2025 Emmy Awards 2025 winners list as Stephen Graham, Seth Rogen and Owen Cooper shine Getty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
India vs Pakistan

With this victory, India have won both their matches and are close to qualifying for the Super Fours stage. (Photo: Getty Images)

India beat Pakistan by 7 wickets in Asia Cup, no handshakes after match

Highlights:

  • India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in their first meeting since the May conflict.
  • Indian players left the field without handshakes, citing alignment with government and BCCI.
  • Pakistan lodged a protest over the post-match conduct.
  • Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the win to the armed forces.

INDIA defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the Asia Cup T20 in Dubai on Sunday. It was the first meeting between the two sides since their military conflict in May.

Keep ReadingShow less
Unaccustomed Earth Netflix

Siddharth and Freida Pinto team up for Netflix’s Unaccustomed Earth adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s short stories

Getty Images

Siddharth and Freida Pinto lead Netflix’s adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s ‘Unaccustomed Earth’ centred on scandalous affair shaking an immigrant community

Highlights:

  • Siddharth to co-star with Freida Pinto in Netflix’s Unaccustomed Earth
  • Series based on Jhumpa Lahiri’s award-winning short story collection
  • John Wells and Madhuri Shekar leading the adaptation with Ritesh Batra directing two episodes
  • Cast includes Indraneil Sengupta, Adi Roy, Sarayu Blue, and Iyla Sundarsingh Mckaig

Actor Siddharth has joined Freida Pinto in Unaccustomed Earth, Netflix’s highly anticipated adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s celebrated short story collection. The new drama, combining elements of family conflict with romance, marks Siddharth’s latest international outing. With Pinto leading the cast, the series promises to bring Lahiri’s themes of migration, love, and identity to a global audience.

Unaccustomed Earth Netflix Siddharth and Freida Pinto team up for Netflix’s Unaccustomed Earth adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s short stories Getty Images

Keep ReadingShow less