Neighbour heard "gut-wrenching screams" from Sharif family property, court hears
The prosecution has also argued that Sara Sharif wore a hijab "to conceal injuries to her face and head"
Last updated 15th Oct 2024
A court has heard that a former neighbour of the Sharif family heard "sounds of smacking" followed by "gut-wrenching screams" from female children.
WARNING: This article contains details that readers might find distressing
The jury was also told that Sara Sharif started wearing a hijab to school in January 2023 which the prosecution argue was "indicative of the need to conceal injuries to her face and head from the outside world."
10-year-old Sara Sharif was found dead at her home in Woking on the 10th August 2023.
Her father Urfan Sharif, 42, stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and uncle Faisal Malik, 29, are accused of their murder, which they deny.
The court was told by Bill Emlyn Jones King's Counsel that Chloe Redwin, who lived near the Sharif family at previous residence before they moved to Hammond Road in Horsell, heard "sounds of smacking" followed by screams.
The jury was also told that Ms Redwin would also hear sounds of the children screaming, followed by their mother swearing at them, with prosecution also stating that Ms Redwin observed Sara appearing to have a “number of responsibilities within the household”, including taking out the bins each week and hanging up washing.
The prosecution also argued that Ms Redwin thought Urfan Sharif was "conscious of the noise his family made" and would apologise for it frequently.
The jury was also told that another former neighbour would hear bangs which sounded like someone had been hit or smacked.
The court heard that another neighbour heard a noise that she considered "very out of the ordinary" on the 6th August 2023, which the jury was told was a single high pitched scream, which lasted a couple of seconds and stopped
The neighbour said that "it didn't sound good", according to the prosecution.
Earlier in the day, the court heard that a ring doorbell was removed before the family left for Pakistan, and the prosecution argued that the doorbell's bracket was still visible when police attended the property.
The court was told that 18 rolls of parcel tape were purchased in two different orders by Beinash Batool, with plastic bags bound with tape being found at the property.
The prosecution argued that these were "home-made hoods" that had been "placed and taped over Sara's face and head."
Urfan Sharif, Beinash Batool and Faisal Malik are also charged with causing or allowing the death of a child. They deny all charges.
The trial continues.