Sara Sharif killer wants inquest with jury in Surrey

The woman convicted of killing her stepdaughter, Sara Sharif, has requested that the inquest into the young girl’s death be conducted before a jury. Beinash Batool, together with Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2024 following the discovery of the 10-year-old’s body at their home in Woking.

Sara had endured a prolonged and brutal period of abuse over two years, described as a “campaign of torture.” A post-mortem examination revealed numerous injuries, including bite marks, an iron burn, and scalds from hot water. These findings painted a harrowing picture of the suffering she experienced.

During a court hearing on Monday, Batool’s lawyer Dr Anton van Dellen argued that having a jury would help clarify whether Sara had been failed by those who might have been reluctant to intervene due to concerns about being accused of racism. He stated, “This is just the type of judgement where a diverse local jury would provide a helpful perspective.”

An independent review into Sara’s death highlighted significant shortcomings in Surrey’s safeguarding services. Investigators found that officials failed to thoroughly explore why Sara began wearing a hijab, which concealed her injuries, out of a “fear of causing offence.” Additionally, neighbors expressed their apprehension about reporting suspicions, worried that they might be labeled as racist

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