Three people charged with the murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif

14 September 2023 , 23:44

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Sara Sharif (Image: PA)

Three people have been charged with the murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, Surrey Police said.

The force said the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges against Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif, 41, Urfan’s partner, Beinash Batool, 29, and Urfan’s brother, Faisal Malik, 28, all of Hammond Road, Woking. They have also been charged with causing or allowing the death of a child.

The trio travelled to Pakistan a day before police discovered Sara’s body in Woking on August 10. A post-mortem examination found the youngster had suffered “multiple and extensive injuries” over a “sustained and extended” period of time.

They were arrested on Wednesday evening at Gatwick Airport as they disembarked a flight from Dubai. All three have been remanded in custody to appear at Guildford Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Urfan Sharif at Sialkot Airport on Wednesday morning

Urfan Sharif's brother, Faisal Malik

Police said Sara’s mother has been informed of this latest development and is being supported by specialist officers. It comes after Surrey Police said earlier this week it was working to secure the safe return of Sara's five siblings, aged between one and 13, from Pakistan. A Pakistan court ruled the kids would be temporarily moved to a government childcare facility.

Police are 'closing in' on dad of murdered Woking girl, 10, after he vanished

Beinash Batool, the stepmother of Sara Sharif, pictured (Surrey Police/AFP via Getty Imag)

The force worked with Surrey County Council and international partners. Sara's grandfather Muhammad Sharif said he had been sheltering the children at his home. It is not clear where they will be sent. Speaking earlier of the arrests of the trio - who have now been charged - Sara's mother Olga Sharif told The Sun: “I am very happy that the police have made arrests.

Tributes were left after her body was found at home on August 10 (SWNS)

"It is a huge relief and something I didn’t think would happen this quickly. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders but there is still a long way to go before I feel closure.

“What is important now is that the police can investigate with no information being kept back or put to the side. This needs everyone to work together. I have had to wait a long time for this and I didn’t know if they would ever be able to investigate what happened to my daughter.”

William Walker