BBC UK Newsvor 19 StundenCrime1 Min. LesezeitUnited Kingdom

Sara Sharif's Stepmother Requests Jury Inquest into Her Death

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Beinash Batool, jailed for life for murdering her stepdaughter Sara Sharif in Woking, has requested a jury inquest into Sara's death.
Her lawyer argues a diverse jury would help determine if services failed Sara due to fears of racism accusations.

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Beinash Batool and Urfan Sharif were jailed for life in 2024 for the murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, who suffered violent abuse for two years. A review found services in Surrey failed to properly investigate Sara's injuries due to fears of causing offense.

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The woman who murdered her stepdaughter Sara Sharif has asked for the inquest into her death to be held in front of a jury.

Beinash Batool and Sara's father Urfan Sharif were jailed for life in 2024 after the 10-year-old was found dead at the family home in Woking.

She had been violently abused in a "campaign of torture" lasting two years.

Bite marks, an iron burn and scalding from hot water were among dozens of injuries found on her body in a post-mortem examination.

On Monday, Batool's lawyer Dr Anton van Dellen said jurors would help determine if Sara was failed by people who were scared of being accused of racism.

"This is just the type of judgement where a diverse local jury would provide a helpful perspective," he added.

A review into the 10-year-old's death found that services in Surrey failed to properly investigate why Sara started wearing a hijab - that covered her bruising - for "fear of causing offence".

Neighbours also said they were worried about "being branded as being racist" if they reported concerns.