Sara Sharif likely suffered every day, jury told

Sara Sharif's body was found in August last year

Warning: This article features distressing details

Ten-year-old Sara Sharif likely experienced "daily pain and suffering" over several weeks before her death, a court heard.

Injuries she suffered before her body was found at her family home in August last year were "noticeable" and "obvious", expert witness Niall Martin told the Old Bailey.

He said Sara was also likely burned on the buttocks by the tip of a "domestic iron" and that "hot liquid encountered both feet".

Her father Urfan Sharif, 42, stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and uncle Faisal Malik, 29, have denied murder.

Jurors previously heard Sara had been hooded, burned, bitten and beaten during more than two years of abuse.

Mr Martin, a burns and plastic surgeon, said the injury to Sara’s buttocks would have caused "significant physical and psychological discomfort".

He said it was difficult to think of a way a child Sara’s age could have sat on the hot object accidentally.

Mr Martin was unable to date the injury but estimated it was between two and six-weeks-old.

Urfan Sharif, Beinash Batool and Faisal Malik are each facing two charges relating to the death of Sara Sharif

He said it would have healed more efficiently if it had been seen by a doctor.

Mr Martin added there was no evidence of "adhesive residue", which suggested the wound was not cared for.

Sara's feet were also injured by "hot liquid", and a dental expert found “probable human bites” on her left forearm and inner left leg.

Examinations excluded Mr Sharif and Mr Malik as being responsible for the bites, the jury was told.

The court also heard that a neighbour considered calling the police after she heard a girl scream “in pain” two days before Sara died.

Neighbour Fiona Mellon said in a statement: "I just heard one scream for a couple of seconds that just stopped suddenly, like a young female voice.

“It did not sound good."

The court had heard Mr Sharif, Ms Batool and Mr Malik were arrested in the UK after they had travelled to Islamabad, Pakistan, on 9 August 2023, the day before Sara's body was found at their home in Woking.

The three defendants are also charged with causing or allowing the death of a child, which they deny.

The trial continues.