The father, stepmother, and uncle of 10-year-old Sara Sharif are set to face trial next autumn. A court hearing heard that Sara suffered a series of injuries that ultimately led to her untimely death.

Appearing at the Old Bailey on Tuesday were Urfan Sharif, Sara’s father, her stepmother Beinash Batool, and her uncle Faisal Malik, who had recently returned from Pakistan. All three individuals are charged with the murder of Sara Sharif, as well as causing or allowing the death of a child.

The court was informed that Surrey Police had made a horrific discovery after receiving a call from Pakistan that lasted eight minutes and 34 seconds, at 2:47 am on August 10. Following this call, officers were dispatched to the family’s residence in Woking, Surrey.

There, they found the lifeless body of Sara Sharif, lying face up and fully clothed under a blanket in a bunk bed on the upper floor. Sara’s identity was confirmed through DNA analysis, involving her mother, Olga Sharif, residing in Somerset, and another relative.

Prosecutor Giles Bedoe revealed the shocking details of Sara’s injuries, describing them as “a constellation of healed and healing injuries.” These injuries included a previously healed fracture to her collarbone, a healed fracture to the hyoid bone in her neck, multiple rib fractures, bruising across her torso and limbs, and a brain haemorrhage. Bedoe also stated that ongoing post-mortem examinations were expected to reveal more information.

The court further learned that just two days before Sara was found dead, on August 8, the defendants had booked a flight to Pakistan, taking five children with them. These children remain unidentified for legal reasons.

Last Wednesday, after returning to the UK, the three defendants were arrested upon landing at Gatwick Airport. During the court hearing on Tuesday, Urfan Sharif (41), Beinash Batool (29), and Faisal Malik (28) appeared via video-link from Belmarsh high-security jail in south London and Bronzefield women’s prison in Surrey. They confirmed their identities and dates of birth, and a timetable for their case was established.

The Recorder of London, Judge Mark Lucraft KC, announced that a plea hearing is scheduled for December 1, with a provisional trial date set to commence on September 2, 2024, lasting six weeks. The judge also indicated that a decision would be made later regarding whether the trial should be presided over by a High Court judge.

All three defendants were remanded into custody until their next court appearance.