Sara Sharif's dad arrested at Gatwick Airport after girl, 10, found dead at home

13 September 2023 , 19:19

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Sara Sharif's dad arrested at Gatwick Airport after girl, 10, found dead at home

Police have arrested the dad of a 10-year-old girl found dead at her home after he flew back to the UK from Pakistan.

The body of Sara Sharif was found after police were called from Pakistan by her dad, Urfan Sharif, on August 10 in Woking, Surrey. Mr Sharif, 41, his partner, Beinash Batool, 29, and his brother, Faisal Malik, 28, are thought to have travelled to Islamabad on the previous day, and officers launched a manhunt for the family.

A statement from Surrey Police announced Urfan Shairf was arrested on suspicion of murder at Gatwick Airport on Wednesday at 7.45pm. Beinash Batool and Faisal Malik were also arrested on suspicion of murder.

The force added: "Sara’s mother has been informed of this latest update and is being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts remain with her and those affected by Sara’s death at this very difficult time.

Urfan Shairf was arrested on suspicion of murder at Gatwick Airport on Wednesday at 7.45pm after landing on an Emirates flight (Pixel8000)

"This has been an extremely fast-moving, challenging and complex enquiry and we remain absolutely committed to conducting a thorough investigation into Sara’s death."

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This week, it emerged that a message was found at Sara’s home and said to be written by a relative, alleging the little girl was battered to death. The handwritten note reportedly said: "Who ever sees this, it was [name] who killed [Sara] by beating. I am running away because I am scared."

Sara Sharif, 10, was found dead at her home in Woking on August 10 (PA)

And the mum of a pupil at St Mary’s Primary, in Byfleet, claimed Sara turned up with “cuts and bruises” just before she left the school in April. Her mum Olga Sharif, 36, who lives in Yeovil, Somerset, also said: “I will never have closure until I know what has happened and why. He can’t hide away for ever."

Surrey Police issued a new appeal for information on Thursday, two weeks after Sara was found. Detectives are continuing to appeal for information to help them piece together a picture of Sara's lifestyle prior to her death.

Sara's dad in a handout photo issued by police (PA)

Urfan's partner Beinash Batool, 29 (PA)

They widened the timescale of their investigation after the post-mortem examination revealed that Sara had suffered multiple and extensive injuries, likely to have been caused over a sustained and extended period of time.

Detective Superintendent Mark Chapman, from the Surrey Police and Sussex Police Major Crime Team, earlier said: "It is now two weeks since Sara's body was found and the impact of her tragic death continues to be felt deeply by the local and wider community, including our officers and staff.

"We would like to thank those people who have already come forward and reported information to us. However, we know that there will be lots of people in the Woking community and beyond who will have had contact with Sara who may not already have come forward, and we would encourage them to do so.

"Any information is better than no information - although you might think it's insignificant, it might be vital to the investigation and in helping us to bring justice for Sara." Anyone with information is urged to report to the force online through the Major Incident Public Portal or by calling 101, quoting Operation Unison.

Katie Weston