Sara Sharif: Neighbour describes screaming coming from family home

The following article contains themes that some readers might find upsetting

A former neighbour of the Sharif family has told a jury at the Old Bailey that she heard Sara Sharif's stepmother Beinash Batool swear at the children, using "not very nice words".

Rebecca Spencer lived above the Sharif family at a previous address in West Byfleet, before the family moved to their address on Hammond Road in Horsell.

Ms Spencer told the court that on one occasion there had been a "fever pitch", leading to her knocking on her neighbour's door and asking if everything was ok.

"They said 'yes, yes' and the door was shut in my face. This was the stepmother." Ms Spencer told the court.

Ms Spencer added that she had been "at the end of my tether" adding that there was "general constant screaming, crying and banging."

Sara Sharif was found dead in her home in Woking on the 10th August last year. Her father Urfan Sharif, stepmother Beinash Batool and uncle Faisal Malik are accused of her murder and are also charged with causing or allowing the death of a child.

Ms Spencer also described Sara as a "lovely little girl" and told the court about a time where she hosted a garden party which Sara attended - and that Sara "took part in all the games" and "spent most of her time chatting to me rather than playing with the other children"

The court heard Ms Spencer, who worked from home, had thought about making a formal report about the family downstairs but ultimately decided against it.

Chloe Redwin moved in after Ms Spencer and told the jury that she “heard what she believed to be smacking and that she would say it was a person smacking another person.”

Ms Redwin also told the jury that she had commented to Beinash Batool about Sara wearing a hijab – which the prosecution previously alleged that she wore to conceal her injuries. In response, according to Ms Redwin, Beinash Batool shut the conversation down – replying that “she decided to wear one – she’s following her religion.”

Ms Redwin told the jury that she had a conversation with Urfan Sharif about Sara wearing the headscarf - and that Urfan had told her that “She had been learning about the Muslim faith and that she was very interested with this – and she wanted to explore and learn more."

There was also a point during proceedings today where Sara’s father Urfan Sharif abruptly left the court in tears.

Urfan Sharif, stepmother Beinash Batool and uncle Faisal Malik deny all charges against them. The trial continues.

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