In a startling development, two inmates at the high-security Belmarsh prison have been officially charged with the attempted murder of Urfan Sharif, the father of the late Sara Sharif. Steven Sansom, 47, and Adam Watson, 39, are accused of ambushing Sharif in his cell on New Year’s Day of the previous year (2025), where his neck was reportedly cut with the jagged edge of a tuna tin lid.
The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed that Sansom and Watson are scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 26 to face these serious allegations. Daren Streeter, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London, emphasized that the decision to charge was made after close collaboration with the Metropolitan Police, ensuring sufficient evidence to proceed with criminal proceedings. Streeter also issued a reminder that the proceedings against the defendants are active, and they are entitled to a fair trial, urging the public to refrain from any commentary or information sharing that could prejudice the case. This breaking news highlights the continued legal ramifications surrounding the tragic case of Sara Sharif.
Urfan Sharif, 43, was previously convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years in December 2024 for the murder of his ten-year-old daughter, Sara. The judge in that trial, Mr. Justice Cavanagh, described Sara’s death as the culmination of “years of neglect, frequent assaults and what can only be described as torture,” largely at Sharif’s hands.
Sara Sharif was discovered deceased in a bunk bed at the family home in Woking, Surrey, in August 2023. Post-mortem examinations revealed a horrific extent of abuse, with Sara having sustained 71 recent injuries, including 25 broken bones, iron burns on her buttocks, scalding marks on her feet, and human bite marks. Her stepmother, Beinash Batool, also received a life sentence with a minimum of 33 years for her complicity in Sara’s murder. Additionally, Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for causing or allowing her death. The Metropolitan Police had previously investigated an allegation of assault on Sharif within Belmarsh, noting that he suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Reports indicated he received medical treatment within the prison for cuts to his neck and face.
