Jury retires in Sara Sharif murder trial

Jurors in the trial of the father, stepmother and uncle of 10-year-old Sara Sharif have retired to consider their verdicts.

Urfan Sharif, 43, Beinash Batool, 30, and Faisal Malik, 29, have denied murder and causing or allowing her death.

The jury at the OId Bailey has been told they can also consider manslaughter for each defendant as an alternative charge to murder.

Sara's body was found with dozens of injuries at the family’s home in Woking, Surrey, last year.

The court previously heard that Sara had been hooded, burned and beaten during more than two years of abuse.

On Tuesday, High Court Judge Mr Justice Cavanagh told the jury of nine women and three men they should return unanimous verdicts if they can.

The jury was sent out to start their deliberations just before 13:00 GMT after the judge finished summing up the case.

Mr Justice Cavanagh told them they were under no time pressure, adding that everyone in the trial deserved their “complete attention and thoughtful consideration”.

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

The trial previously heard from pathologist Dr Nathaniel Cary who said that Sara died from “complications arising from multiple injuries and neglect".

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.