Uncle claims 10-year-old ‘fell down stairs and broke her neck’

The uncle of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, who was found dead in her home in Woking, has told police she “fell down the stair and broke her neck”, according to reports.

Police in Pakistan told Sky News that Sara’s uncle, Imran Sharif, is currently being held in custody for questioning, but has not been charged and is not under arrest.

Mr Sharif claims he has not seen his brother, Sara’s father Urfan, who is wanted for questioning.

Sara was found dead in her home in Working, Surrey after police were called by her father in Pakistan on 10 August.

Urfan, 41, his partner Beinash Batool, 29, and his 28-year-old brother Faisal Malik are believed to have travelled from the UK to Pakistan on the previous day. There are five children with them, aged between one and 13, according to police.

Mr Sharif is said to have told officers: “Beinash was home with the children. Sara fell down the stairs and broke her neck. Beinash panicked and phoned Urfan.”

Surrey County Council has confirmed that Sara was previously known to authorities.

A post-mortem examination did not establish a cause of death but revealed Sara suffered “multiple and extensive” injuries which were likely caused over a “sustained and extended” period of time.

Lawyers in the UK have said Pakistan’s government is “unlikely” to block an extradition request in connection to Sara’s death.

There is no formal extradition treaty between the UK and Pakistan but people have been returned from the Asian country before.

Sara’s mother is being supported by specialist officers and police say she and Sara had not been in contact.