SARA Sharif’s neighbours heard “shockingly loud” sounds of smacking and “gut-wrenching screams” before she died, a court has heard.
The schoolgirl, 10, was found dead underneath a blanket having suffered “dozens of injuries” at her home in Woking, Surrey, in August last year.
Sara was found dead at her home in Woking, Surrey, in August last yearPA
EnterpriseSara’s dad Urfan Sharif, 42, confessed to her murder in a 999 call, the court has heard[/caption]
EnterpriseSara’s stepmum Beinash Batool, 30, is also accused of murder[/caption]
EnterpriseFaisal Malik, Sara’s uncle, is also accused of murder[/caption]
SWNSFlowers and police outside of the home to Sara Sharif, 10, who was found dead at her house in Surrey, Woking, Surrey. 15th August 2023[/caption]
Her dad Urfan, step-mum Beinash and uncle Faisal Malik, 29, are all standing trial at the Old Bailey accused of her murder.
Jurors today heard neighbours tell of how how they heard banging and rattling as if someone was banging on and pushing at a door.
Sara was also made to wear a hijab to cover the bruises, while some of her injuries were noticed at her school, the court heard.
She was eventually taken out and home-schooled instead, with one teacher describing her as a “happy” child who could sometimes be “sassy”.
Prosecutors said neighbours at a previous address, which Malik lived at only for a few months, heard banging and rattling as soon as the family moved into the flat in West Byfleet, Surrey.
Neighbour Rebecca Spencer said it was as if someone was “trying to open the door or alert someone they were behind a door that would not open.
She added: “The rattling sounded metallic, possibly a loose door lock or catch mechanism.
“On the occasions that I would hear these banging and rattling sounds, they would be accompanied by the sounds of a child crying or a screaming, followed by complete silence.
“On those occasions I can only describe the silence as ‘deathly quiet’ and I cannot imagine what happened to make the crying or screaming child become immediately silent.”
On other occasions, Mr Emlyn Jones KC told jurors Ms Spencer said she heard bangs as if someone had been hit or smacked, and internal doors were constantly being slammed.
After Ms Spencer moved out, new neighbour Ms Redwin said she heard smacking followed by “gut-wrenching screams” of young female children, over which Batool would shout “shut up”.
Jurors were also told that Sara began wearing a hijab in January 2023, just before they moved into their new property in Woking three months later.
Mr Emlyn Jones said: “The prosecution suggest the fact that Sara began to wear the hijab around this time is indicative of the need to conceal injuries to her face and hear from the outside world.”
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