A new development has emerged in the case of the murder of 10-year-old Pakistani-British girl, Sara Sharif, in London. Her father, 42-year-old Irfan Sharif, claimed in court that his wife, 30-year-old Banish Batool, pressured him to confess to the murder of their daughter.

Irfan Sharif, his stepwife Banish Batool, and Sara’s uncle, 29-year-old Faisal Malik, are accused of planning Sara’s death on August 8, 2023. However, all three have denied the charges, including any involvement in causing or permitting Sara’s death.

During the ongoing trial at Old Bailey, the jury was informed that the day after the murder, the three suspects left their home in southwest London and fled to Pakistan. Sara’s body was later recovered in Islamabad after Irfan Sharif alerted the authorities. The autopsy revealed that Sara’s body had multiple fractures, wounds, burn marks, and bite marks, pointing to a brutal and agonizing death.

In his testimony, Irfan Sharif stated that he was devastated by his daughter’s death, but he was convinced by Batool that Sara’s death had been caused by another of their children. He further claimed that he was told fleeing to Pakistan was necessary to avoid facing the consequences of the tragedy.

This case highlights the disturbing reality of domestic violence and crime within families, and how attempts to cover up such acts can become incredibly complex.