Sara Sharif’s father says he ‘takes full responsibility’ for death of daughter

The father of Sara Sharif today told jurors at the Old Bailey he “takes full responsibility” for her death.

Urfan Sharif, 42, reversed his previous position during cross-examination, where he had blamed his wife, Beinash Batool, for Sara’s death.

“I accept every single thing,” the taxi driver told the court.

Sara was found dead at the family home in Woking, Surrey, on August 10 last year.

The 10-year-old had suffered extensive injuries, with jurors hearing evidence of dozens of wounds across her body.

These injuries included human bite marks and burns from an iron.

Following the discovery of Sara’s body, the defendants fled to Pakistan.

The three accused – Sharif, his wife Batool, and Sara’s uncle Faisal Malik – left the country before authorities could apprehend them.

Batool wept in the dock as her husband made his confession.

All three defendants – Sharif, Batool, and Faisal Malik, 29 – deny the charges of murder and causing or allowing Sara’s death.

The defendants, formerly of Hammond Road, Woking, remain on trial at the Old Bailey.