Two convicted murderers allegedly attempted to kill Urfan Sharif, the father of murdered schoolgirl Sara Sharif, in a Belmarsh prison cell on New Year's Day 2025. The court heard that Steven Sansom and Adam Watson, both serving life sentences for murder, used a tin lid in the attack.
Prosecutors stated that the incident was a planned and coordinated attack. Sansom allegedly lured Sharif to cell 16 under the pretense of friendship, then attacked him from behind. Watson is accused of standing guard at the cell door to prevent intervention. Sharif claims Watson passed an unidentified weapon, believed to be a tin lid, to Sansom, who then made repeated cutting motions towards Sharif's throat and attempted to force the item into his mouth. Sharif was found bloodied and distressed, and the attack was only halted when prison officers intervened after hearing his screams. Sharif was hospitalized in critical condition but survived.
Watson is charged with attempted murder, while Sansom faces charges of attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, and possession of an offensive weapon. Both men appeared via video link from HMP Wakefield and did not enter pleas. Their case is scheduled for a hearing at the Old Bailey next month.
Urfan Sharif was incarcerated at the high-security prison following his conviction for the murder of his 10-year-old daughter, Sara, in August 2023. His wife, Beinash Batool, also received a life sentence for Sara's murder, with a minimum term of 33 years.
