Warning signs The 15 missed chances to keep Sara from harm
The Guardian|December 12, 2024
The murder of Sara Sharif has raised serious questions about missed chances to prevent her death, with the case revealing 15 occasions when it was flagged to authorities that the schoolgirl was potentially in danger.
Emine Sinmaz
Warning signs The 15 missed chances to keep Sara from harm

For more than a decade, Urfan Sharif, 43, had repeatedly attracted the attention of police, social services and schools. He was never charged in relation to previous abuse allegations made against him. The case will now be the focus of a local safeguarding review to examine whether more could have been done to prevent Sara's death.

Here is a timeline of 15 events leading up to her murder, which come from police, social services and school records heard during the Old Bailey trial.

11 January 2013

Sara Sharif is made the subject of a child protection plan at birth owing to her father being accused of attacking three women including her biological mother, Olga Domin, as well as hitting and biting children. Sara is allowed to remain with her father.

22 February 2013

Social services and police are told that Sharif has slapped a child around the face.

7 May 2013

A social worker spots a burn mark on a child's leg and Sharif claims it was a barbecue accident. Sharif did not report the incident, contrary to an agreement. Five months later, a child is seen with a burn mark and Sharif tells social services the child knocked into a domestic iron.

November 2014

This story is from the December 12, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

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This story is from the December 12, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

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