Family of ‘murdered’ girl claims 10 year-old’s death ‘was an accident’

Sara Sharif’s grandfather appealed for his son Urfan to return to the UK from Pakistan to ‘defend their case’ after girl found dead in Woking, Surrey

Detectives are continuing to search for the father of 10-year-old Sara Sharif (Surrey Police/PA) (PA Media)

The father of a 10-year-old girl found dead at her home in Surrey has claimed her death was an accident, her grandfather has said.

Sara Sharif’s body was discovered in Woking on August 10, with post-mortem tests revealing she had sustained “multiple and extensive injuries” over a sustained period of time.

Her father Urfan Sharif and her stepmother had travelled to Pakistan the previous day and are wanted for questioning by Surrey Police.

Urfan Sharif and his partner Benaish Batool are wanted for questioning (Surrey Police)

In an interview with the BBC, Muhammad Sharif said he saw his son after he arrived in Pakistan and travelled to his hometown of Jhelum to see relatives.

“It was an accident, he didn’t tell me how it happened,” said Mr Sharif.

Asked why Urfan came to to Pakistan if the death was an accident, Muhammad replied: “Because of fear. His daughter died and when you go under so much trauma, obviously you can’t think properly.”

It is believed that Urfan, his partner Beinash Batool and his brother Faisal Malik landed in Islamabad international airport early on 10 August before travelling to the city of Jhelum. They stayed there for a few days, before stopping for a few hours in the village of Domeli and leaving on 13 August.

Surrey Police have launched several appeals for information around Sara’s death and are currently working alongside Pakistani authorities, Interpol and the National Crime Agency.

Her body was found at her family’s address in Hammond Road during the early hours of the morning after her father called 999 from Pakistan.

Sara was found dead inside a propery on Hammond Road in Woking (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)

It has been claimed that Sara, who was known to Surrey County Council, had been seen in school with injuries to her face and neck in April.

A neighbour said her daughter told her Sara had gone to school with the injuries but claimed she had fallen off a bike when asked about them.

When asked how he felt about his son travelling to Pakistan, Mr Sharif stated that they should have remained in the UK and “faced the case”.

“They will ultimately go back to the UK and face their case,” he added.

Mr Sharif denied that he has been in touch with Urfan recently and said that he had informed police of his son’s visit to Jhelum.

Over the last few weeks, several members of his family have been questioned by the police and have accused the authorities of detaining them unlawfully.

Becoming emotional while describing his “beautiful” granddaughter, Mr Sharif said: “I have a deep sorrow that my granddaughter passed. The grief will stay with me for the rest of my life.”