Sara Sharif’s neighbor never reported the family despite ‘constant shouting and banging’, court hears

The court heard that the Sharif family lived in poor conditions in the small two-bedroom maisonette and their four children slept in a “room cabin” at the back of the property.

When asked what she remembered about the noises coming from the apartment, Ms Spencer said: “Just crying. And the noise of doors and lots of slamming doors. Also, the stepmother, yelling at the kids.”

“The family was never quiet when it came to closing doors, but it almost felt like they were locked in a room, with that constant door banging. Trying to open it,” she added.

She said she often heard Ms Batool “almost hysterical, shouting” at the children and using abusive language towards them.

When pressed about what kind of swear words Ms Batool used when speaking to children, the witness said “damn bastards”.

Giving evidence from behind a screen, Ms Spencer became emotional when asked if she had ever reported any concerns to police or the council.

She told the court no. She said that despite the noise, all the children appeared to be well looked after and well dressed.

‘Fever Tone’

On the occasions he saw the children in person, he never saw any of them with bruises or injuries, he added.

William Emlyn Jones KC, prosecuting, said she clearly went through a “difficult process of whether or not she should have” but in the end Ms Spencer “did not make a formal report to anyone”.

Although she never contacted authorities, she told the court that on one occasion she went down to speak to the Sharif family after the noise became excessive.

Mrs Spencer said: “It was busy so I went down and said, ‘Is everything OK here?’ And it was ‘yes, yes’ and the door was closed in my face. That was (by) the stepmother.”

When asked what she meant by “feverish rise,” she said, “It had been going on for a long time and I was getting to the end of my tether with it… Just constant screaming and crying and banging.”

Describing Sara as a “lovely girl”, Mrs Spencer said she saw her “constantly taking off nappies” or doing household chores.