Summary
Council staff tried to check on 10-year-old Sara Sharif the day before her murder but went to the wrong address, according to a review. Sara's father and stepmother were later jailed for her murder. The review highlighted missed chances by authorities to protect Sara.
Key Facts
- Sara Sharif was a 10-year-old girl who was murdered on 10 August 2023 in Woking, Surrey.
- A review found that council staff tried to visit her home the day before her murder but went to the wrong address.
- Her father, Urfan Sharif, and stepmother, Beinash Batool, were sentenced to life imprisonment for her murder.
- Authorities identified that Sara faced abuse over a two-year period before her death.
- Signs of abuse, including bruising, were first noticed on Sara in June 2022.
- In March 2023, her school reported her absence and bruising to children's services, but no effective action was taken.
- Sara was removed from school to be home-schooled, after which she "effectively disappeared."
- The review called for a more coherent home-schooling system to ensure children's safety in the future.
