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At a recent pre-inquest review hearing for the case of Sara Sharif, who died in 2013 shortly after birth, Surrey County Council staff members sought to remain anonymous during the upcoming full inquest scheduled for October 2027. Their lawyer argued that anonymity was necessary to protect these employees from potential harm and allow them to continue working without fear. However, senior coroner Richard Travers rejected all requests for anonymity, citing concerns about fairness and upholding principles of open justice.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-19,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In August 2023, 10-year-old Sara Sharif was found dead in her family home in Woking, Surrey. Her father, Urfan Sharif, and stepmother, Beinash Batool, were later convicted of her murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in December 2024. At a pre-inquest review hearing last week, three staff members from Surrey County Council applied for anonymity to protect their identities during the upcoming full inquest. The council argued that revealing their names could harm their health and private lives, potentially preventing them from working and causing significant loss to Surrey County Council’s resources. However, senior coroner Richard Travers rejected all three applications, stating he was not satisfied with the evidence provided regarding justifiable anonymity under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects private and family life, against the media's freedom of expression as per Article 10. Concerns about Sara’s care were first raised in 2013, shortly after her birth, while her parents had been known to social services since at least 2010.
Written for “Sara Sharif Inquest Witnesses” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
Concerns were raised about Sara’s care within a week of her birth in 2013, and her parents were known to social services as early as 2010, it has been reported.
asserted
it → raise → 2010
At a pre-inquest review hearing last week, three Surrey County Council staff applied for anonymity to prevent their identities being reported in the press during the full hearing, which is expected to take place next year.
asserted
which → apply → place
Alethea Redfern, acting on behalf of Surrey Council, had sought anonymity to protect the employees “from harm to their health and private and family lives” which could result “from their identity being made public when they give evidence”.
uncertain
they → act → evidence
Ms Redfern added that there would be a “risk that the employees could no longer work if their identities were revealed” which would be a “loss of valuable resource to Surrey County Council”.
uncertain
which → add → Council
In a written judgment, senior coroner Richard Travers rejected all three applications.
asserted
Travers → write → applications
In his decision, Mr Travers said: “I have considered the evidence carefully in the context of all the legal principles and I have decided that all three of the applications for anonymity should be refused.
asserted
three → say → anonymity
“I am not satisfied, on the basis of the evidence provided, that granting anonymity is justified by reference to common law principles of fairness or as a result of balancing the Article 8 rights (respect for private and family life) of the employees against the Article 10 rights (freedom of expression) of the media and the important principle of open justice.”
asserted
granting → provide → justice
Mr Travers previously ordered Surrey County Council to disclose 24,606 documents about Sara’s siblings.
asserted
Travers → order → siblings
Sharif was jailed for a minimum term of 40 years, while Batool has to serve at least 33 years in custody.
asserted
Batool → jail → custody
Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 31, was found guilty of causing or allowing her death and jailed for 16 years.
asserted
uncle → find → years
The full inquest is expected in October 2027.
asserted
inquest → expect → October
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