Dad of girl, 10, murdered in Woking house is taxi driver as cops launch international manhunt for three suspects
THE DAD of a 10-year-old girl found murdered in a case which has sparked an international manhunt is a local taxi driver.
Malik Urfan Sharif is said to be the dad of the girl, named by neighbours as Sara, who was discovered dead in a quiet Surrey village.
Police investigating the death say three potential suspects have left the UK.
The child was found at a home in Horsell, near Woking, in the early hours of Thursday after cops responded to a ";call for concern".
Photos have now emerged of 41-year-old Mr Sharif, who is said to have moved into a three-bedroom £550,000 council house in the village in April with his wife Beenish and their children.
He reportedly worked as a taxi driver in the Surrey town and was a familiar figure on the cab rank outside its main railway station.
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Surrey Police has revealed three people they want to speak to in connection with the girl's death travelled out of Britain on Wednesday, hours before the girl's body was found.
Meanwhile, tributes to the victim have been left at the scene - including one saying: "So sorry this has happened. Such a tragedy.
"Rest in peace lovely girl."
People who know Mr Sharif have described their shock at the tragic developments.
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One told : "I just can't believe it - he is such a friendly guy who adores his kids.
"He's been living in the UK for years and is originally from Pakistan. He works as a taxi driver with a hackney plate outside Woking station."
A neighbour confirmed the father's identity when shown pictures from his social media profile.
Mr Sharif was called a "hard-working family man" by former Tory councillor Rashid Mohammed talking to .
Det Chief Insp Debbie White said on Friday: "Our investigation into this tragic incident has continued at pace today with a number of enquiries underway.
"We have identified three people we would like to speak to in connection with our investigation and from our enquiries we believe that they left the country on Wednesday.
"We are working with our partners, including international authorities, to locate them."
Insp Sandra Carlier, Woking's borough commander for Woking, acknowledged the local community would be "shocked and saddened", adding: "We stand with them in their grief."
She said patrols and enquiries would continue over the weekend - but insisted they did not believe there was "any risk to the wider public at this time".
Neighbours have been left stunned by the tragedy, with 47-year-old resident Amjad Ali saying he "couldn't believe" what had happened.
He said everyone in the area was "shocked" by the girl's death, adding: "My son looked out the window as I had taken my wife on holiday and were still up and he said the road was full of police.
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"Then an officer knocked on the door and asked if we knew anything about the family, but we don't really know them.
"They are a family that moved in about five months ago. I don't know where from."
