Sara Sharif’s stepmother says family has ‘gone into hiding’ in first statement since death of 10-year-old

The stepmother of Sara Sharif has spoken for the first time since the 10-year-old girl was found dead at her home in Surrey on 10 August.

In a video, Beinash Batool reads a statement as she sits next to Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif.

“All of our family members have gone into hiding as everyone is scared for their safety,” she says, adding the family is “willing to cooperate with the UK authorities and fight our case in court”.

Police want to speak to Mr Sharif and Ms Batool, who are believed to have travelled from the UK to Pakistan the day before the girl’s body was found.

Mr Sharif is reported to have booked “one-way” plane tickets.