Two inmates have been charged with attempting to murder Sara Sharif's father, Urfan Sharif, inside the high-security Belmarsh prison. Steven Sansom, 47, and Adam Watson, 39, are accused of attacking Sharif on New Year's Day last year, allegedly ambushing him in his cell and cutting his neck with the jagged edge of a tuna tin lid.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed the charges on Thursday, stating that the pair are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 26. The Metropolitan Police had previously said they 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 sustained cuts to his neck and face and received medical treatment inside the prison.
Prosecutors say evidence sufficient
Daren Streeter, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor in CPS London, said in a statement: '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.' He 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.'
Streeter also reminded the public: '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
Urfan Sharif was jailed for life with a minimum term of 40 years in December 2024 after being found guilty of the murder of his 10-year-old daughter, Sara. 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.
Others convicted in the case
Sara's 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. Her uncle, Faisal Malik, was found guilty of causing or allowing her death and jailed for 16 years. The new charges against Sansom and Watson relate to the attack on Sharif, which occurred while he was serving his sentence at Belmarsh.
