Two inmates have been charged with attempting to murder Sara Sharif's father at Belmarsh prison. Steven Sansom, 47, and Adam Watson, 39, are accused of attacking Urfan Sharif in his cell on New Year's Day last year.
Attack with tuna tin lid
Sharif, 43, was allegedly ambushed in his cell where his neck was cut with the jagged edge of a tuna tin lid. The Metropolitan Police previously said officers were investigating 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.
Charges and court appearance
The Crown Prosecution Service said the pair are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 26. Daren Streeter, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor in CPS London, said: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to charge Steven Sansom and Adam Watson with attempted murder in connection to an incident at HMP Belmarsh in January 2025.'
Streeter added: '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. We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendants are active and they have the right to a fair trial. It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.'
Background of the case
Sharif was jailed for life with a minimum term of 40 years in December 2024 after being found guilty of Sara's murder. The judge, Mr Justice Cavanagh, said Sara's death 'was the culmination of years of neglect, frequent assaults and what can only be described as torture', mainly at the hands of Sharif.
Sara was found dead in a bunkbed at the family home in Woking, Surrey, in August 2023. She had suffered 71 recent injuries at the time of her death, including 25 broken bones, iron burns on her bottom, scalding marks to her feet, and human bites, appeal judges were told.
Her stepmother Beinash Batool was jailed for life with a minimum term of 33 years after being convicted of murder for her role in the schoolgirl's death. Sara's uncle, Faisal Malik, was found guilty of causing or allowing her death and jailed for 16 years.
