Judge says killers home schooled Sara as a ‘ruse’ to hide evidence of 10-year-old’s repeated beatings
A senior judge who jailed the killers of Sara Sharif has said the 10-year-old’s murder “starkly illustrates the dangers” of parents automatically being able to homeschool their children.by her father, Urfan Sharif, and stepmother, Beinash Batool, as a “ruse adopted for wholly selfish purposes” to cover up evidence of her repeated beatings.
Sara’s teachers did notice bruises on her face and referred her to social services just months before she was killed. In April 2023, a month after social services closed the case, Sharif informed Sara’s headteacher for the second time that he would be homeschooling his daughter with immediate effect.
If a child’s home environment is judged to be unsuitable or unsafe, councils will also have new powers to intervene in homeschooling arrangements and require school attendance for any child.
Cavanagh said Sharif had made sudden decisions to homeschool Sara on June 2022 and April 2023. “On each occasion, this was because the visible signs of the beatings that you had carried out had become so obvious that you were worried that the authorities would find out how you were treating her,” he told Sharif.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Beinash Batool and Urfan Sharif found guilty of daughter Sarah Sharif's murder in UKTen-year old Sara Sharif loved singing and dreamed of being on The X Factor. Her death at the hands of her parents sent shock waves around the globe. Warning: This story contains graphic content that may be upsetting.
Read more »
Sara Sharif murder: ‘sadist’ father and stepmother jailed for lifeUrfan Sharif, 43, and Beinash Batool, 30, sentenced for killing 10-year-old who was found dead in Surrey home
Read more »
Sara Sharif's Parents Sentenced to Life for Murder of Abused 10-Year-OldA 10-year-old girl found dead in her home after suffering years of abuse was murdered by her father and stepmother.
Read more »
Home schooling laws to be tightened up after murder of Sara SharifTen-year-old was murdered by her father and stepmother after being taken out of school to be educated at home
Read more »
Father and stepmother of 10-year-old Sara Sharif found guilty of her murderQuestions raised over missed opportunities to save girl after conviction of Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool at Old Bailey
Read more »
Sara Sharif’s father given custody despite years of reported abuse of mother and siblingsTrial of Urfan Sharif revealed children’s services, Surrey police and primary school were aware of concerns about the family for 16 years
Read more »