Council staff refused anonymity for Sara Sharif inquest
A coroner has denied a request for anonymity for three Surrey County Council workers involved in the inquest of 10-year-old Sara Sharif. The workers were involved in the child's care prior to her murder in 2023.
Why it matters
The case highlights systemic failures in social services and the ongoing public interest in accountability regarding child protection.
Image source, Surrey Police Image caption, Sara Sharif died after a campaign of abuse
A coroner has rejected a request for anonymity made on behalf of three council workers who are expected to give evidence at the inquest into the death of Sara Sharif.
The 10-year-old was found dead in a bunk bed at her family home in Woking, Surrey, in August 2023.
Her father and stepmother – Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool – were jailed for life in December 2024 after being found guilty of her murder.
At a pre-inquest review hearing last week, Surrey County Council applied to prevent the identities of the workers being reported by the press during the full hearing, but that application was resisted by media organisations, including the BBC.
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