Sara Sharif, a 10-year-old girl from Woking, Surrey, suffered extreme abuse at home, which ultimately led to her tragic death.

Despite significant concerns for her safety, Sara was repeatedly returned to live with her father, Urfan Sharif, who eventually killed her before fleeing to Pakistan with her stepmother, Beinash Batool.

Urfan Sharif, 43, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years for his role in Sara's murder.

Beinash Batool, 30, was also convicted of murder and received a life sentence with a minimum of 33 years.

Concerns regarding Sara's welfare were raised by social workers as early as 2010, largely due to her father's violent past.

Sara was the subject of multiple family court proceedings, which documented significant concerns about her welfare.

In 2019, a judge allowed Sara to move back in with her father, despite previous allegations of abuse that were never tested in court.

Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza criticized the system that allowed parents to remove children from school despite safety concerns, emphasizing that schools provide a vital safeguard.

Media organizations have challenged the anonymity of the judges involved in the case, highlighting the need for public accountability.

Following a ruling by the Court of Appeal on January 24, 2025, the identities of three judges involved in the family court proceedings can now be disclosed.

The court revealed that Sara experienced unimaginable pain, including being beaten, burned, and restrained.

Surrey County Council had prior contact with Sara's family regarding her two older siblings, indicating a long history of concerns about the family's welfare.