Sara Sharif suffered at least 71 injuries before her death

Pathologist shares catalogue of bruises, burns and bite marks

- AMY-CLARE MARTIN

Schoolgirl Sara Sharif’s body was found with at least 71 recent injuries and two traumatic brain injuries inflicted days before her death as she endured a “campaign of abuse”, a court heard.

Jurors were shown a catalogue of bruises, burns, probable bite marks and other injuries identified on the 10-year-old by forensic pathologist Dr Nathaniel Cary.

He told the Old Bailey the total number of injuries sustained by the 4ft 6in child, who weighed 4st 3lbs, is not known because it is impossible to tell if each mark was the result of one or several injuries.

Sara died from complications arising from multiple injuries and neglect, he told the jury. Her death was described as “cumulative” rather than being attributed to one specific injury or incident.

However, the pathologist said she may have gradually succumbed to two traumatic brain injuries she suffered two to five days earlier.

In his conclusions, the expert noted “widespread” injuries to the skin’s surface, including puncture wounds, bruising and internal injuries to the abdomen. “These findings are in keeping with significant and repetitive blunt force trauma,” he told the Old Bailey, adding the pattern of injuries was in keeping with the use of an “instrument”.