Two men have been charged with attempted murder following an attack on Urfan Sharif, the father of murdered ten-year-old Sara Sharif, at HMP Belmarsh. Steven Sansom, 47, and Adam Watson, 39, are accused of trying to kill Sharif in an incident on New Year's Day 2025, in which he reportedly suffered cuts to his neck and face.
Charges and court appearance
The Crown Prosecution Service said the pair are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 26. It is understood the charges relate to an incident in which Sharif was allegedly ambushed in a cell at the category A prison by two inmates.
Daren Streeter, deputy chief crown prosecutor at CPS London, said: “Our prosecutors have worked closely with the Metropolitan Police to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and pursue criminal proceedings.”
Background of the case
The Metropolitan Police previously said officers were probing “an allegation that a prisoner was assaulted at Belmarsh”, adding that “the 43-year-old suffered non life-threatening injuries”. The Sun reported that Sharif suffered cuts to his neck and face and received medical treatment inside the prison.
Sharif and Sara's stepmother, Beinash Batool, were jailed for life in December for years of horrific “torture” and “despicable” abuse that culminated in the 10-year-old's murder. The court heard that she suffered “unimaginable pain, misery and anxiety” as she was repeatedly beaten, burned, bitten and restrained at the family home in Woking, Surrey.
Sharif was handed a minimum term of 40 years and Batool was given 33 years.
