“Family of Sara Sharif denied appeals for sentence reduction”
Father, stepmother, and uncle of Sara Sharif lose appeal bids to reduce sentences after her murder. Court of Appeal upholds original sentences.
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In a devastating turn of events, the father, stepmother, and uncle of 10-year-old Sara Sharif have failed in their attempts to shorten their sentences following her tragic death. Sara was found lifeless in her family home, her body displaying a staggering 71 injuries, including broken bones, burns, and human bite marks.
Urfan Sharif, 43, and Beinash Batool, 30, received life imprisonment in December for Sara’s murder, with minimum terms of 40 and 33 years, respectively. Meanwhile, Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, was sentenced to 16 years for his involvement in her death. Despite their pleas to challenge these sentences, the court upheld the initial verdicts.
During the hearing, Lady Justice Carr firmly rejected Sharif and Batool’s appeals, citing no substantial grounds for adjustment. The Solicitor General pushed for Sharif’s sentence to be upgraded to a whole life order, emphasizing the gravity of Sara’s horrific fate. However, Lady Justice Carr deemed a whole life sentence as a measure of last resort.
The judges weighed the severity of the crime against the pleas of Sharif and Batool’s defense counsels, who argued for reduced sentences. While acknowledging the tragic nature of the case, the court concluded that a whole life order was indeed warranted given the heinous nature of the crime.
Describing Sara as a vibrant and spirited child, Lady Justice Carr condemned Sharif’s “campaign of violence” and the chilling confession note left near Sara’s body. Despite the shocking details that emerged during the trial, the court stood firm in delivering justice for Sara, ensuring that those responsible faced the consequences of their actions.
Published on: 2025-03-13 17:00:00 | Author:
