10-year-old Sarah Sharif was “beaten with great force, many times… She was subjected to a series of tortures…” which eventually led to her death. This was pointed out, among other things, by the judge of the Old Bailey in London, reading for over an hour the multi-page rationale for imposing a life sentence on the father and stepmother of the unfortunate Sarah. Both were found guilty of her murder last week and their sentences were announced today.

Urfan Sharif, 43, should be jailed for a minimum of 40 years and his wife Beinas Batul, 30, for a minimum of 33 years, Judge John Kavanagh said, and the audience erupted into sustained applause as the story shocked the public opinion in Britain for many months.

Urfan’s brother, Faisal Malik, 29, who lived in the same house, was also found guilty. The court ruled that he “permitted or made possible Sarah’s death”. But he was acquitted of the charge of murder.

According to the forensic report, during the last months of her life the unfortunate Sarah was mercilessly tortured. In fact, two weeks before she breathed her last, she was hooded, her hands were tied and she was severely beaten with a cricket bat and a metal rod. Iron and hot water burns were also found on her body, as well as marks possibly due to human bites. In total he sustained 70 injuries, including 25 head injuries and 11 spinal fractures.

Her death resulted from “complications due to her torture and neglect,” the coroner ruled, without being able to determine the exact cause. Sarah ended on August 8, 2023.