Murdered Sara Sharif should never have been in care of father and stepmother, damning report finds
A damning independent report into the failings by the various authorities who came into contact with Sara Sharif has said the 10-year-old should never have been placed in the care of her father and stepmother, describing the killers as a “lethal combination”.
The schoolgirl was murdered by Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool in August 2023 after a brutal campaign of abuse – which a judge at the Old Bailey later described as “torture”.
Her body was found in a bunk bed at the family home, after a crying Urfan Sharif dialled 999 from Pakistan, saying he had “killed” and “beaten” his daughter.
The 10-year-old was covered in fractures, bruises and burns.
Sara Sharif. Pic: PA
It became clear that in the weeks before her death, Sara had been beaten at home with items such as a cricket bat and metal pole, and burnt with an iron. She had clearly also suffered a traumatic head injury.
She had been known to social services from birth, and was twice placed in foster care by the time she was three. Later in life, she would be moved between the custody of her father and mother – with both accusing the other of abuse.
Urfan Sharif. Pic: Surrey Police
Beinash Batool. Pic: Surrey Police
Sara’s uncle Faisal Malik was jailed for causing or allowing her death. Pic: Surrey Police
In December 2024, a local Child Safeguarding Practice Review was instigated, and its independent report has now been published, concluding that “the system failed Sara” – from social services to the NHS and education.
“Sara’s death was not caused by one specific malfunction within the safeguarding system,” it said. “Numerous factors came together over many years, which cumulatively laid the foundations for the severe abuse she experienced.”
The note left by Sara’s father. Pic: Surrey Police
The Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership said: “All agencies represented by the Partnership take the findings of this report extremely seriously and will work urgently together to agree a joint action plan that puts in place the local learnings from the review.”
The report also contained 15 recommendations, which included calls on the Department for Education to close loopholes around at-risk children being withdrawn from school.
The report also demanded safeguarding teams be better trained in understanding the manipulative behaviours of domestic abusers.
Sara Sharif. Pic: PA/Surrey Police
A picture of Sara Sharif taken at school. Pic: Surrey Police
It said agencies must ensure more robust, joined-up safeguarding processes when children are first referred to social care, and called for the impact of culture, race and language to be considered in safeguarding decisions.
Surrey County Council says it will be “working to implement all local recommendations relating to the organisation in full. Many of those are well under way or already complete, but practice is continuously reviewed and this report will help all partners improve further”.
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December 2024: Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother jailed
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In a statement, Terence Herbert, chief executive of Surrey County Council, said: “We are deeply sorry for the findings in the report related to us as a local authority. We have already taken robust action to address those relating to Surrey County Council, and that work will continue with every recommendation implemented in full.”
Sharif and Batool were respectively sentenced to at least 40 and 33 years for the murder, while Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of causing or allowing Sara’s death.
Police are investigating after a “number of people” were believed to have been attacked with pepper spray by a group of men who then fled.
Officers were called at 8.11am to a multi-storey car park at Terminal 3 following reports of multiple people being assaulted, said the Metropolitan Police.
A statement by the force said: “A number of people were sprayed with what is believed to be a form of pepper spray by a group of men who then left the scene.”
What we know so far
• Several assaulted with ‘pepper spray’
• One arrest – police hunt for more suspects
• Incident said to involve people known to each other
• Incident not being treated as terrorism
• 21 people treated by ambulance service – five taken to hospital
• Injuries not believed to be life-threatening
• Traffic disruption reported – but train lines since reopened
Live updates on Heathrow incident
Fire engines responding to the incident at Heathrow Airport. Pic: @_umarjaved
Armed police attended and one man was arrested on suspicion of assault. He remains in custody and enquiries continue to trace further suspects.
Police are not treating the Heathrow incident as terrorism.
London Ambulance Service also attended the scene and treated 21 people, including five who were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.
There is currently some disruption to traffic in the area and Terminal 3 remains open.
Increased police presence
Commander Peter Stevens said: “At this stage, we believe the incident involved a group of people known to each other, with an argument escalating and resulting in a number of people being injured.
“Our officers responded quickly and there will be an increased police presence at Heathrow Airport throughout the morning, to continue enquiries and ensure the safety of those in the area.
“We are not treating this incident as terrorism. I understand the public’s concerns and would like to thank those in the area for their cooperation this morning.”
A person is detained at the airport. Pic: @_umarjaved
‘Significant incident’
The London Ambulance Service said a “significant incident” was declared.
There was a “full deployment” of resources and the ambulance service is treating it as ongoing.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “We were called at 8.14am today to assist emergency service colleagues at an incident near Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport. Firefighters remain at the scene.”
Heathrow is advising passengers to allow extra time when travelling to the airport and to check with their airline for any queries.
There was disruption to train and Tube services, with some delays on the Elizabeth Line and the Piccadilly Line.
National Rail said on its website that lines had been reopened allowing trains to call at Heathrow “following the emergency services dealing with an incident at the airport”.
It said: “Although lines have now reopened, disruption is expected to continue whilst services return to normal, delays of up to 10 minutes and cancellations can be expected until 11.45am.”
National Highways East said on X: “A serious incident within the @HeathrowAirport Tunnel has resulted in the closure of the #M4 spur road southbound between M4 and J4A.
“@metpoliceuk responding. We’ll keep you updated.”
It later said: “Incident has been resolved and all closures lifted on the #M4 southbound @HeathrowAirport spur road between #M4 and J4A.”
People on social media have reported vehicles were being searched at the airport.
A user on X said there was a “major backlog of cars unable to leave the vicinity or enter the drop-off zone” at Terminal 3.
In footage on X, several armed police were seen in a car park.
England and Scotland fans have found out where their World Cup group games will be played when the tournament kicks off in June.
England, who are in Group L, will begin their tournament against Croatia in Dallas at 4pm EST (9pm BST) on 17 June. They will then go on to face Ghana in Boston at 4pm EST (9pm BST) on 23 June and Panama in New Jersey, New York, at 5pm EST (10pm BST) on 27 June.
Scotland are in Group C, and their first match will be against Haiti in Boston at 9pm EST on 13 June (2am GMT the following morning).
They will go up against Morocco also in Boston at 6pm EST (11pm GMT) on 19 June and then Brazil in Miami at 6pm EST (11pm GMT) on 24 June.
Fans are expected to rush to sort their travel and accommodation plans now that they know where and when the matches take place.
Read more: Unapologetically political – a World Cup draw like no other
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England and Scotland learn World Cup fate
Wales and Northern Ireland have yet to find out if they will qualify.
Wales must face a play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff, then either Italy or Northern Ireland, if they are victorious.
If they beat these play-off opponents, they will secure their place in Group B alongside Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
However, Northern Ireland will also be vying to guarantee their spot in the same group if they can beat Italy and then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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UK
World Cup 2026 – who England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will play
Scotland and England now know who they will face in the group stage of the next summer’s world cup.
But the fates of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Wales won’t be determined until they compete in pre-tournament play-off matches in March.
England are in Group L along with Croatia, Panama and Ghana. Their first match will be against Croatia, who beat them in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Pic: Reuters
Scotland’s first match will be against Haiti, in Group C.
Brazil and Morocco are the other Group C teams – both countries were also in the same opening group as Scotland in the 1998 World Cup in France.
Trump and Infantino at the World Cup draw
Wales have yet to find out if they will qualify as they must face a play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff, and then either Italy or Northern Ireland, if they are victorious.
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If they can overcome these play-off opponents then they will secure their place in Group B along with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland. But Northern Ireland will also be vying and hoping to guarantee their spot in the same group if they can beat Italy and then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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‘Bring it on!’: Scotland fans react to World Cup draw
The Republic of Ireland also need to get through the play-offs first and are paired against the Czech Republic for their semi-final. Should Ireland win that match, they will need to beat either North Macedonia or Denmark to get to the finals where an opening group containing joint hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea awaits.
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