Beinash Batool, the woman convicted of murdering her stepdaughter Sara Sharif, has applied for the coroner’s inquest into the 10‑year‑old’s death to be heard by a jury, legal representatives confirmed on Monday. Sara died at the family home in Woking after a prolonged campaign of abuse that led to the 2024 life sentences imposed on Batool and Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif.
Why a jury is being sought
Batool’s lawyer, Dr Anton van Dellen, told the court that a jury could offer valuable insight into whether statutory and community responses to Sara’s situation were adequate. He argued that jurors drawn from the local population would help assess whether fear of being labelled racist had inhibited people and agencies from intervening.
“This is just the type of judgement where a diverse local jury would provide a helpful perspective,”
That concern arises from an independent review which found that services in Surrey did not fully investigate why Sara had begun wearing a hijab at home — a development the report said masked bruising and was affected by anxiety about causing offence.
Background and evidence
The post‑mortem examination detailed numerous injuries, including bite marks, an iron burn and scalding from hot water among many other wounds. Prosecutors described the abuse as a sustained two‑year campaign.
- Victim: Sara Sharif, aged 10.
- Convicted: Beinash Batool and Urfan Sharif, jailed for life in 2024.
- Location: family home, Woking, Surrey.
Local impact and next steps
If the coroner agrees to a jury, the inquest will examine not only the immediate circumstances of Sara’s death but also the broader institutional response. The case has prompted uncomfortable questions about how professionals and neighbours weigh cultural sensitivities against safeguarding responsibilities.
| Item | Known detail |
|---|---|
| Sentence | Life imprisonment for both defendants (2024) |
| Key findings | Multiple injuries; two‑year pattern of abuse |
The coroner’s decision on whether to empanel a jury will determine the format of the public inquiry that follows. For communities across Surrey, the outcome will be closely watched as authorities and residents seek to learn lessons from a tragic failure to protect a child.
