Urfan Sharif, the father of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, broke down in tears as he described his daughter's final moments at the Old Bailey. He said Sara briefly opened her eyes, asked for water, and said she felt sleepy before dying in his arms on 8 August 2023.
Sharif, 42, is on trial alongside his wife Beinash Batool, 30, and his brother Faisal Malik, 29. They are accused of carrying out a violent campaign of abuse leading to Sara's death at the family home in Woking, Surrey. Her body was found in a bunk bed two days later.
Sharif told the court that Batool did not call an ambulance, dismissing Sara's condition as 'dramatic and pretending'. He said he attempted CPR but Batool urged him to stop, saying 'Sara is dead'. Sharif claimed Batool snatched his phone when he tried to call emergency services, insisting he should protect the family.
The defendants fled to Pakistan after Sara's death, where Sharif called UK police to confess he had 'beat her up too much'. He left a handwritten note near her body stating his intention was not to kill her but he 'lost it'. Sharif testified that Batool dictated parts of the confession and convinced him to flee.
Sharif said he initially agreed to take full blame to protect his family, believing he would face only three to five years in prison. However, he changed his mind after his arrest when police revealed the extent of Sara's injuries. The trial continues.
