Father and stepmother of 10-year-old girl found dead in England are convicted of her murder
The father and stepmother of a 10-year-old girl found dead in her home in England were found guilty Wednesday of her murder after what prosecutors called a "campaign of abuse."
Urfan Sharif, 42, and his 30-year-old partner Beinash Batool will be sentenced Tuesday in the killing last year of Sara Sharif, as will Urfan Sharif's brother, 29-year-old Faisal Malik, who was found guilty of causing or allowing the girl's death.
Police found Sara's body under a blanket in a bunk bed at her home in Woking, southwest of London, on Aug. 10, 2023, with dozens of injuries including extensive bruising, burns and fractures. An examination concluded she died of unnatural causes.
The three adults fled to Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, on Aug. 9, the day after Sara was believed to have died.
Her body was discovered after Urfan Sharif called U.K. police from Pakistan to say he had "legally punished her, and she died," prosecutors said. He told the phone operator it wasn't his intention to kill her but he had "beat her up too much," they said.
Police in Pakistan found the three suspects after an extensive search and put them on a flight to the U.K, where they were arrested upon arrival in London.
Batool and Malik denied involvement in the abuse. Prosecutor William Emlyn Jones has said all three defendants lived in the same house as Sara and it was "inconceivable" that just one had acted alone.
During the trial, Sharif initially blamed Batool for Sara's death but later told jurors he took "full responsibility." He admitted throttling her with his hands and battering her with a cricket bat and other objects.
The prosecution said the violence became so normalized that no one reacted when she appeared with bruises at a family barbecue.
Sara was feisty and dreamed of being a fairy tale princess. Her spirit came across in a video taken two days before her death showing her dancing at home, despite multiple broken bones and iron burns on her bottom.
"Seeing the footage of Sara laughing and joking even when she had signs of injuries to her body and knowing what a happy child she was at school -- she loved singing and dancing -- and knowing what happened to her, those are the most affecting parts of the case," said Libby Clark, a specialist prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service.
Justice John Cavanagh adjourned sentencing until Tuesday, telling jurors the case had been "extremely stressful and traumatic."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Amid tense political backdrop, Canadian warship gets friendly message from Chinese vessel tracking its movements
Daybreak on HMCS Ottawa began with a call over the marine radio from a Chinese warship. The call is coming from a Chinese Frigate known as the Yuncheng, the warship has been shadowing HMCS Ottawa through the South China Sea for two days and counting.
Liberal leadership: Melanie Joly, Brian Gallant will not run, both focused on other matters
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly will not run for Liberal leadership. Up to now, Joly was widely considered a potential successor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Former premier of New Brunswick Bran Gallant also confirmed to CTV News that he will not be in the running for Liberal leader.
'Devastating beyond words': Paris Hilton shows remnants of home destroyed by L.A. fire
Socialite Paris Hilton shared a video showing her ravaged house, destroyed by the L.A. wildfires., 'I’m standing here in what used to be our home, and the heartbreak is truly indescribable,' Hilton wrote on Instagram.
Cyberattack on Canadian students' data sparks concerns
School boards across Canada are grappling with the fallout from a significant cyberattack on PowerSchool, a widely used administration software platform.
'Everything is gone': Sask. business owner loses Los Angeles home to wildfires
A Saskatchewan business owner lost her Los Angeles home as wildfires ravage parts of the city.
Man dies after falling into sink hole at Fernie Alpine Resort
An investigation is underway by Elk Valley RCMP after a man died Wednesday after falling into a sink hole at Fernie Alpine Resort.
Trump gets no-penalty sentence in his hush money case, while calling it 'despicable'
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump was sentenced Friday in his hush money case, but the judge declined to impose any punishment, an outcome that cements his conviction while freeing him to return to the White House unencumbered by the threat of a jail term or a fine.
'Just so surreal': Winnipeg firefighter joins wildfire battle while vacationing in L.A.
A Winnipeg firefighter with over two decades of experience found himself joining the fight against one of the most destructive fires in Los Angeles history.
'It's pretty scary': Toronto police investigating third tow truck-related shooting this week
Toronto police say they are investigating another tow truck-related shooting in Scarborough, the third such incident in just over 24 hours.
Local Spotlight
'One-of-a-kind' fire-breathing dragon sculpture takes over Winnipeg yard
A Winnipeg sculptor’s latest creation could also double as a house guard.
'Really unique': Ice core drilled by U of M scientist could unlock climate history
A Manitoba researcher was part of a historic research team that uncovered the oldest ice core ever retrieved.
'Loving each other, building memories:' B.C. couple facing life-threatening illnesses cherishes every day
Hayley and Bill Atkinson’s love story begins that night he abruptly left in the middle of playing a card game with friends, and didn’t return for a long time.
Long live the King: N.B. tribute artist to honour Elvis' 90th birthday with special performance
Though it has been nearly five decades since Elvis' death, his music and influence continue to inspire fans around the world, including tribute artist Thane Dunn of Moncton, N.B.
4 generations on 1 lot: One family's creative response to B.C.'s housing crisis
A single lot in Delta, B.C., that used to be home to a single rancher built in the 80s is the site of four separate homes, housing four generations of the same family.
'Unacceptable': Removal of beaver dam in Manitoba community sends surge downstream
The removal of a beaver dam in a rural Manitoba community is having some unintended consequences, sending a small flood downstream, catching residents off-guard.
Project Linus: Moncton group marks 15 years of handing out blankets to thousands of children
For 15 years, those who volunteer for the Greater Moncton chapter of Project Linus have been making blankets for children who need comfort at challenging time in their lives.
Social media-famous corgi from Kitchener, Ont. rescues owner
A captivating canine is being hailed as a hero after one of his owners took a terrifying fall.
These 90-year-old identical twins were born on a Saskatchewan farm, but grew to love the city
Rose Worona and Anne Skwarchuk were born in 1935 on a farm near Hafford. Now, they’re celebrating their 90th birthday together.