20 minutes | Thursday, 12 December 2024
Sara Sharif, a 10-year-old girl from Surrey, was found dead in her home in August 2023 with extensive injuries indicating prolonged abuse. Her father, Urfan Sharif, and stepmother, Beinash Batool, have been convicted of her murder, while her uncle, Faisal Malik, was found guilty of causing or allowing her death. The trio initially fled to Pakistan but were apprehended on their return to the UK. Sara's death has prompted a review of child safeguarding practices to prevent such incidents in the future. Niall Paterson hears about the case from our social affairs correspondent Becky Johnson, and if Sara's death could have been prevented with Dr Ciaran Murphy from the Association of Child Protection Professionals, who says social workers are coming under increasing pressure. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Editor: Philly Beaumont