Sara Sharif murder trial set for October

Sara Sharif had sustained "multiple and extensive injuries", a post-mortem examination found

A trial date for a father, stepmother and uncle accused of murdering a 10-year-old girl has been set.

Urfan Sharif, 42, Beinash Batool, 29, and Urfan's brother, Faisal Malik, 28, are accused of killing Sara Sharif, who was found dead at her home in Woking, Surrey, in August last year.

All three have pleaded not guilty.

At the Old Bailey, it was confirmed the trio would go on trial on 7 October.

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

The trial will be heard by High Court judge Mr Justice Cavanagh and is estimated to last up to seven weeks.

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

Mr Sharif, Ms Batool and Mr Malik travelled to Islamabad, Pakistan, with Sara's five brothers and sisters on 9 August 2023, the day before her body was found.

A previous court hearing was told police found Sara's body after receiving a call from Pakistan, which lasted eight minutes and 34 seconds, at 02:47 on 10 August.

The three adults were arrested on their return to the UK on 13 September and were charged two days later.

A post-mortem examination found Sara had sustained "multiple and extensive injuries" before her death.

However, an inquest heard the actual cause of death had not yet been established.

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