In a startling turn of events, the ongoing trial of Urfan Sharif, accused of murdering his 10-year-old daughter Sara, has unearthed a troubling history of alleged abuse against multiple former girlfriends. As Sharif took the stand for cross-examination, the court heard testimony painting a disturbing picture of a man with a pattern of controlling and violent behavior towards the women in his life.
A Trail of Abuse Allegations
Caroline Carberry KC, the barrister representing Sharif’s wife and co-defendant Beinash Batool, confronted Sharif with a series of shocking accusations. The court learned that three separate, unconnected women had previously reported Sharif to the police for alleged offenses including assault, false imprisonment, and controlling behavior.
One woman claimed Sharif had held her against her will, locked her in a bedroom, and demanded she stay home at all times. Another accused him of stamping on her phone, confiscating her passport, and even threatening her with a knife. A third alleged Sharif had hit her, taken away her phone, and locked her in a room. Sharif denied all the allegations, dismissing them as “false” when questioned by police.
A Pattern of Control and Manipulation
Carberry suggested these accusations revealed a disturbing pattern in Sharif’s relationships, stating: “That’s a bit of a theme, something you say to women you’re in a relationship with.” She painted a picture of Sharif as a “lying, manipulative and controlling man” who routinely took his anger out on the women closest to him.
“You routinely took your anger out on the women in your life: Olga, Beinash and also [others]?”
– Caroline Carberry KC, barrister for Beinash Batool
The court also heard allegations that Sharif, said to be a gambler £17,000 in debt, was an “angry” drinker. Carberry put it to Sharif that in the months before her death, it was “little Sara” who had “suffered the most” at his hands – an accusation he denied.
Insight into a Tragedy
The shocking claims about Sharif’s alleged history of abusive behavior have cast a grim shadow over the ongoing murder trial. Sara Sharif was found dead at the family home in Surrey on August 10th, 2023. She had suffered numerous injuries including fractures, burns and human bite marks. Sharif, his wife Beinash Batool, and his brother Faisal Malik all stand accused of subjecting the young girl to a brutal “campaign of abuse” before fleeing to Pakistan.
As the trial continues, the jury will be tasked with unraveling the complex web of accusations and conflicting testimonies to determine the truth behind Sara’s tragic death. The revelations about Urfan Sharif’s alleged past have added a chilling new dimension to an already disturbing case, raising troubling questions about the seemingly toxic environment in which young Sara lost her life.
