In a harrowing case of child abuse, the Central Criminal Court in England sentenced a father and stepmother to a combined 73 years in prison for the brutal death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif.

On Tuesday, December 12, 2024, Urfan Sharif, 42, was sentenced to 40 years, while his wife, Beinash Batool, 30, received 33 years. Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, was handed a 16-year sentence for causing or allowing her death.

The tragic case came to light on August 8, 2023, when Sara was found dead in her home with horrifying injuries.

A post-mortem revealed over 70 external wounds, including 11 spinal fractures, signs of brain trauma, bite marks, iron burns, and scalding from hot water. Next to her body, police discovered a chilling confession written by her father: “Whoever sees this note, it’s me, Urfan Sharif, who killed my daughter by beating.”

Following the murder, Urfan Sharif, Batool, and Malik fled to Islamabad, Pakistan, with Sara’s five siblings on August 9, 2023. While abroad, Sharif called UK police, admitting he had “legally punished her, and she died,” adding, “I beat her up too much.” The trio returned to the UK over a month later, without the children, and were promptly arrested.

During sentencing at the Old Bailey, Justice John Cavanagh condemned the abuse, stating: “Sara’s death was the culmination of years of neglect, frequent assaults, and what can only be described as the torture of this small child. The degree of cruelty is almost inconceivable. None of you have shown a shred of true remorse.”

He further rebuked Batool for encouraging the violence, saying, “You did not stand in Urfan Sharif’s way.”

Sara’s mother, Olga Sharif, described the convicts as “executioners.”