Sara Sharif 'forced to wear hijab to hide brutal abuse' just weeks before 10-year-old's death

Sara’s body was found in a bunk bed at the family home in Woking on August 10 last year, where she displayed injuries such as bite marks, scalding and broken bones.

At the Old Bailey this morning, jurors were told that it was “unusual” that Sara was the only person in her extended family to wear a hijab, which the prosecution allege was worn to conceal the injuries to her face and head.

One of Sara’s teachers also said that she noticed that the 10-year-old began wearing a hijab to school, describing it as “unusual” as her mother and other family members did not wear the garment.

A neighbour claimed that Sara was “always wearing a hijab and it mostly hid her face,” adding that it was also unusual that she wore it in comparison to her family members.

Sara's family fled to Pakistan after the 10-year-old was killed on August 8, with a phone call between her father Urfan and a Surrey Police 999 handler being played out in court.

During the call, Urfan was heard saying: “I legally punished her and she died.”

Her father was told to “take a deep breath and tell me what’s happened” by the operator as he continued to cry during the call.

Yesterday the court heard that a note was found by Surrey Police on Sara’s body, saying: “Whoever see this note its me Urfan Sharif who killed my daughter by beating.

"I am running away because I am scared but I promise that I will hand over myself and take punishment.”

On the other side of the note, the writing said: “I swear to God that my intention was not to kill her but I lost it.

"My daughter is Muslim. Can you burry (sic) her like Muslim may be. I will be back before you finish the postmortem.”

The defendants have pleaded not guilty to Sara’s murder and to causing or allowing the death of a child between December 16 2022 and August 9 2023.