Council staff refused anonymity for Sara Sharif inquest
Summary
A coroner refused Surrey County Council's request to keep three workers' identities secret during the inquest into Sara Sharif's death. Sara, a 10-year-old girl from Surrey, died after years of abuse by her father and stepmother, both of whom were sentenced to life in prison.Key Facts
- Sara Sharif was found dead in August 2023 at her family home in Woking, Surrey.
- Her father, Urfan Sharif, and stepmother, Beinash Batool, received life sentences in December 2024 for her murder.
- Surrey County Council requested anonymity for three staff members giving evidence, but the coroner denied this request.
- The coroner balanced the right to privacy against the media’s right to report freely and decided on transparency.
- Sara was known to social services from 2010, with concerns reported shortly after her birth in 2013.
- Council workers failed to prevent her death, including a visit to the wrong address the day before she was killed.
- Evidence showed failure to investigate signs of abuse, such as bruising hidden by a hijab.
- The full inquest is scheduled for October 2027.
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