In a groundbreaking decision for open justice, the identity of the judge who awarded custody of 10-year-old Sara Sharif to her father before she was tragically beaten to death has been revealed.
This comes after the High Court’s controversial attempt to keep the names of professionals involved in the case confidential, citing concerns about media fairness.
Controversy Surrounding Anonymity Order
Last month, a High Court judge sparked outrage by ordering that the identities of those involved in the heartbreaking case of Sara Sharif’s murder should remain anonymous.
This included the judge who allowed Sara to live with her abusive father, despite his history of violence.
The judge’s decision was made under the premise that the media could not be trusted to report fairly.
The anonymity order was the first of its kind in British legal history, but the Court of Appeal quickly overturned it.
Media organizations, including the Daily Mail, argued that keeping judges’ names secret would damage public confidence in the justice system, as judges play a crucial role in making life-and-death decisions.
The Judge at the Center of the Case
It can now be revealed that the judge at the center of Sara’s custody case is Judge Alison Raeside, a prominent figure in the legal world.
Raeside, 66, is a renowned lawyer who made headlines when she became the first sitting judge in the UK to take maternity leave.
She is also known for her advocacy for judges having the option to work from home to improve work-life balance.
Judge Raeside has had a long career, having been called to the Bar in 1982.
She became a district judge in 2000 and was appointed as the designated family court judge for Surrey in 2019.
However, her career has not been without controversy.
In 2019, she took out a restraining order against a father who had been stalking her online after being barred from contacting his daughters during family court proceedings.
The Tragic Custody Decision
In October 2019, Judge Raeside faced a difficult decision: should Sara Sharif, who had previously been placed in her mother’s care, be handed over to her father, Urfan Sharif, despite his violent history? Court records show that Sharif had been accused of abuse against multiple ex-partners and children, but charges were never brought against him.
The judge ultimately decided to grant custody to Sharif, influenced by his manipulation and claims that Sara’s mother, Olga Domin, was unfit to care for her.
In court, Raeside praised Sara’s stepmother, Beinash Batool, for taking on the responsibility of raising Sara and her siblings.
She recommended that Domin seek help for “anger management” and even suggested that the two women try to be more cordial toward each other for Sara’s sake.
Unfortunately, this decision would prove to be catastrophic.
Within weeks of gaining custody, Sara was subjected to daily abuse by her father and stepmother.
The 10-year-old endured unimaginable torture, including being beaten with various household objects, burned, and strangled, ultimately leading to her tragic death.
Legal Aftermath and Public Outcry
After Sara’s death, there was public outrage when it was revealed that the judge had been granted anonymity, along with other professionals involved in the case.
The Court of Appeal ruled that Judge Raeside and two other judges involved could now be named, in a significant win for media freedom and transparency.
The Court of Appeal criticized the initial ruling, pointing out the importance of press scrutiny in maintaining the integrity of the justice system.
Sir Geoffrey Vos, who oversaw the appeal, noted that the anonymity order was a “procedural irregularity” that failed to consider the broader public interest in open justice.
A Difficult and Heartbreaking Decision for Judges
The Court of Appeal also acknowledged that judges in cases like this face incredibly difficult decisions, particularly when it comes to assessing the risk of future harm.
The judgment clarified that it was not the court’s role to evaluate the previous decisions made in the case but rather to ensure that the justice system remains open and accountable.
While Judge Raeside’s decision has been met with intense scrutiny, it’s a reminder of the challenges judges face when making life-altering decisions about children’s welfare.
The case continues to raise important questions about the responsibilities of the legal system in protecting vulnerable children from abuse.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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