Sara Sharif showed signs of starvation and had “unusual” injuries, the fourth day of her murder trial has heard.
An osteoarticular pathologist told the Old Bailey on Thursday that the 10-year-old’s bone marrow had been “unusual” in his examination of her body, and had shown up with a “bluey tinge”, which revealed itself to be gelatinous transformation of the bone marrow.
This can often be associated with starvation or the rapid removal of nutrition, although Professor Anthony Freemont could not say if this was a direct cause.
Sara’s father Urfan Sharif, 42, her stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and her uncle Faisal Malik, 29, all deny her murder.
The court heard on Wednesday that the 10-year-old died as a result of “complications arising from multiple injuries and neglect”, according to a pathologist.
She had suffered two traumatic injuries in the days before her death, as well as 71 recent injuries including bruises, abrasions, skin ulcers consistent with burns and probable bite marks.
Surrey Police discovered the schoolgirl dead in a bedroom at her home in Woking on 10 August last year.
The court heard earlier in the week that Sara’s head was covered with “homemade hoods” made of plastic bags and parcel tape in the weeks before her death.
Jurors were also told neighbour Chloe Redwin would hear “shockingly loud” sounds of “smacking” from their family home followed by “gut-wrenching screams”.
Police bodycam footage from night Sara Sharif’s body was discovered
Holly Evans17 October 2024 18:00
Sara Sharif was strangled until a bone in her neck broke, court hears
Sara Sharif had been strangled until a bone in her neck broke up to three months before she died, a court has heard.
Jurors previously heard the 10-year-old had suffered more than 70 injuries, shortly before she was found dead in her home in Woking, Surrey, on August 10 last year.
Sara’s father Urfan Sharif, 42, is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of his daughter’s murder, alongside Sara’s stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and uncle, Faisal Malik, 29.
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Holly Evans17 October 2024 17:00
Trial adjourns for the day
The trial of Urfan Sharif, Beinash Batool and Faisal Malik has been adjourned for the day, and will resume on Friday.
Holly Evans17 October 2024 16:36
Cell site data shows defendant’s going to work and hairdressers
Cell site data shows in the weeks before Sara’s death, the defendants continued life as usual, with both Urfan Sharif and Faisal Malik attending work.
Meanwhile Beinash Batool had spent time organising a child’s birthday party and visited the hairdresser.
Earlier this morning, jurors heard that she been strangled until a bone in her neck broke up to three months before she died. Other injuries analysed included two fractures in the girl’s fingers which had occurred between 12 and 18 days before her death, based on his analysis of the stage of healing the injuries were at.
Holly Evans17 October 2024 15:25
Pathologist says ‘high likelihood’ injuries are non-accidental
Earlier this morning, Professor Freemont said was questioned on the nature of the injuries and told jurors: “If you find fractures of different ages and different bones, there is a high likelihood they are non-accidental injuries.”
The pathologist went on to say that the bone marrow he examined from Sara’s body showed changes which could have been caused by starvation or “the rapid removal of all food”.
The previous day, jurors heard that another pathologist who carried out a post-mortem examination on Sara’s body gave the girl’s cause of death as “complications arising from multiple injuries and neglect”.
Holly Evans17 October 2024 14:39
Trial resumes
Proseuctor Bill Emlyn-Jones has resumed questioning Surrey Police analyst Vernie Govender at the Old Bailey.
We’ll bring you all the latest updates.
Holly Evans17 October 2024 14:13
In pictures: The family home where schoolgirl was found dead
Tara Cobham17 October 2024 14:05
In pictures: Sara Sharif before her death
Holly Evans17 October 2024 13:40
Trial breaks for lunch
The trial has broken for lunch and will resume at 2pm.
Holly Evans17 October 2024 13:09
How did this happen to Sara Sharif? What we know about the events leading to schoolgirl’s death
Taxi driver Urfan Sharif, 42, is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of his 10-year-old daughter’s murder alongside Sara’s stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and uncle, Faisal Malik, 29. All three deny murder and the defence is yet to mount its case.
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Holly Evans17 October 2024 12:49
