Ten-year-old Sara Sharif lost her life in a case that shocked the public. Her father, Urfan Sharif, has now admitted in court that he was responsible for her. death but denied any intention to kill her.

The 42-year-old father, along with his 30-year-old wife, Beinash Batool, and 29-year-old brother, Faisal Malik, were charged with Sara’s murder. Her body was discovered at their home in Surrey, United Kingdom, in 2023, bearing signs of serious injuries. Under cross-examination at the Old Bailey, Sharif made a shocking admission.

“She died because of me,” he said, as quoted by the BBC.

Previously, he claimed his wife, Batool, was responsible and admitted to making a false confession to protect her. However, on November 13, Sharif suddenly changed his position. He admitted the truth behind his earlier statements in a phone call and a written note.

Sharif admitted subjecting Sara to violent beatings for weeks, including the night of August 6 last year, when he confessed to violently assaulting her. He revealed he used objects such as a cricket bat and a metal pole to hit her while she was restrained with duct tape.

The father also admitted to causing Sara’s broken bones. Despite this, Sharif told the court that he intended to “discipline” Sara, not kill her.

British court has previously heard that Sara suffered prolonged suffering abuse for more than two years, with injuries including burns and bruises. These details left some jury members visibly shocked as Sharif’s confession unfolded. During the hearing, Batool was seen sobbing uncontrollably. She then left the courtroom.

Sara was “pretending”

Sharif maintained that he never intended to kill Sara, but accepted full responsibility for the fatal consequences of his actions. Batool’s lawyer, Caroline Carberry KC, reminded Sharif that he told his wife that Sara was “faking it”.

“You took the metal pole. You gave her a few blows on the abdomen while she was lying very sick,” Carberry KC told him.

Sharif was in tears as he admitted the information was accurate.