Home / Crime and Justice / Coroner Demands 24,000 Documents in Child Death Probe
Coroner Demands 24,000 Documents in Child Death Probe
10 Sep
Summary
- Coroner orders Surrey Council to release over 24,000 documents.
- Inquest into Sara Sharif's death delayed until October 2027.
- The review will examine what agencies knew about Sara's safety.
Senior coroner Richard Travers has mandated Surrey County Council to provide over 24,000 documents related to the inquest into Sara Sharif's death. Sara, aged 10, was discovered deceased at her Woking residence. Her father and stepmother were convicted of murder in 2024 and received life sentences.
The inquest, initially scheduled for April, has been postponed by six months and is now slated for October 2027. The eight-week inquiry will focus on the awareness of state agencies regarding Sara's safety before her tragic death.
Coroner Travers issued a stern directive to the council's chief executive, demanding all requested documents by October 2, threatening court summons if they are not submitted. Despite the council's argument that many documents were irrelevant, the coroner stated that the court, not the council, decides what is disclosed.
Further considerations for the inquest include anonymity applications from three potential witnesses, with a decision pending. Additionally, a review into Sara's death revealed failures by Surrey services in investigating why she wore a hijab to conceal bruises, stemming from a fear of causing offense. Concerns about Sara's welfare were noted shortly after her birth in 2013, and her parents were known to social services since 2010.
