Sara Sharif: Teacher saw bruises on face of girl, 10, court hears

Jurors previously heard Sara had been hooded, burned, bitten and beaten during more than two years of abuse.

Ms Simmons, who was Sara’s teacher in Year 4 and Year 5, said she saw “a bruise on the underside of her chin and one on her cheek”.

She said that after Sara did not give a consistent account of her injuries, her school, St Mary’s primary in West Byfleet, made a referral to Social Services.

More than two weeks later, Ms Batool “marched towards” her and said Sara had a bruise on her face, the court heard.

“She told me it was made by a pen,” she said.

“She said before I jumped to conclusions again, it was just a pen”

“It was strange. It felt very defensive,” Ms Simmons said.