Sara Sharif's letters begged for forgiveness for 'being rude' and 'answering back', court hears

20 November 2024, 17:17 | Updated: 20 November 2024, 18:34

Sara Sharif begged for forgiveness for "being rude" and "answering back" in a letter found after she was found beaten to death at home.

Sections from the 10-year-old's letters and notebook were shown at the Old Bailey on Wednesday.

In one undated letter, she said she was "sorry for being rude" and ended by saying "please forgive me I am so, so sorry".

A birthday message to her father, Urfan Sharif, said: "I love you so much. Thank you for looking after us on the weekends. And making food for us at the weekends. THANK YOU DAD. From Sara...

"Our family is the best in town. We spread love all around the world."

The notes read in court did not mention the dozens of horrific injuries she was enduring.

The trial previously heard Sara Sharif had at least 25 fractured bones as well as bite marks, burns and scalding.

She was found dead in August 2023 in a bunk bed at her house in Woking, Surrey.

Her father, stepmother and uncle fled to Pakistan but later returned and are now on trial for murder - a charge they deny.

The court heard Sara's notebook also contained a short fairytale about a princess named "Sara" and a queen named "Beinash" (her stepmother's name).

She described Beinash as the "best caring and loving mother in the world", while another passage said: "Ammi my mum who is beautiful and young. Dad my father who earns money for us so we can eat, sleep and have shelter."

Urfan Sharif said last week he took "full responsibility" for his daughter's death and agreed his beatings - including with a cricket bat and pole - were to blame.

However, he claimed he hadn't intended to kill her or cause really serious harm.

He also said he was not responsible for the burn or bite marks on his daughter's body.

Read more from Sky News:
One Direction stars attend Liam Payne's funeral
Lawyer: 290 women pursuing al-Fayed compensation

The judge told jurors on Wednesday they could consider an alternative offence of manslaughter for each defendant.

They also heard another child Sharif was connected to had suffered burns and bites in 2013 and 2014, although he was not directly accused of being responsible.

Police records also detail a string of allegations against Sharif by his ex-wife - Sara's mother, two ex-girlfriends and his former mother-in-law, the court heard.

The cases date between 2007 and 2010 and include allegations of false imprisonment and assault. Sharif was arrested but never faced charges.

Taxi driver Sharif, 42, Beinash Batool, 30, and Faisal Malik, 29, deny murder and causing or allowing Sara's death.

The trial continues.

(c) Sky News 2024: Sara Sharif's letters begged for forgiveness for 'being rude' and 'answering back', court hears