Latest Evidence in Sara Sharif Trial

Published on: 17 Oct, 2024
Updated on: 17 Oct, 2024

Sara Sharif

By Martin Giles

In the continuing trial of those accused with the murder of ten-year-old Sara Sharif the jury heard today that unusual signs in Sara’s bone marrow was most likely caused by a lack of food.

Professor Anthony Freemont, an osteoarticular pathologist, explained that he had identified an abnormality in Sara’s bone marrow, the most plausible cause of which was starvation or rapid removal of food, which showed her nutritional state in the last few days of her life.

The specialist professor had already told the court that radiology showed a number of fractures of different ages. In view of the number and the histological examination he had conducted, Prof Freemont told the jury he had ruled out natural disease as the cause of Sara’s injuries and concluded that they were non-accidental injuries.

He was cross-examined by Caroline Carberry KC, Beinash Batool’s counsel, and Michael Ivers KC, counsel for Faisal Malik, in relation to whether the fractures had contributed to Sara’s death and whether all the fractures had occured between 12 days and 12 weeks prior to death, or whether some could be older or younger.

Tomorrow Professor Owen Arthurs, a paediatric radiologist, will be giving further evidence and evidence from burns specialist Niall Martin will also be read out.