Reported by 2 sources

The short version

  • Two prisoners have been formally charged with attempted murder and other offenses following an attack on Urfan Sharif at HMP Belmarsh.
  • The incident occurred on New Year’s Day 2025, involving inmates Steven Sansom and Adam Watson targeting the man convicted of killing his daughter.
  • Both accused men are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court for an initial hearing later this month.

The Crown Prosecution Service has formally charged two prisoners with attempted murder in connection with an attack on Urfan Sharif, the father of schoolgirl Sara Sharif. The charges mark a significant development in the ongoing legal aftermath of the tragic case that captivated public attention across the United Kingdom. Steven Sansom, 47, and Adam Watson, 39, are accused of trying to kill Sharif while he was incarcerated at HMP Belmarsh, a high-security facility located in southeast London.

The alleged incident took place on January 1, 2025, during the New Year celebrations. According to reports, Sharif was targeted by the two inmates within the prison environment. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Sansom and Watson face additional offenses related to the same event, though specific details regarding these supplementary charges have not been fully elaborated in initial statements. The severity of the attempted murder charge underscores the gravity with which authorities are treating the assault on a convicted murderer.

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Urfan Sharif, 43, is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of his daughter, Sara, at their family home in Woking, Surrey. He was convicted alongside Sara’s stepmother, Beinash Batool, following a trial at the Old Bailey. The couple was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of killing the young girl, a case that drew widespread media coverage and public outrage due to the familial nature of the crime. Sharif’s incarceration at Belmarsh places him in a category A prison, designed for inmates posing the highest risk to the public.

The attack on Sharif has raised questions about security protocols and inmate dynamics within high-profile cases. While the exact circumstances leading up to the assault remain under investigation, it is understood that Sharif was allegedly ambushed by Sansom and Watson in a cell. The involvement of two other inmates suggests a coordinated effort rather than a spontaneous altercation. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether there were any prior tensions or specific motives driving the attack, leaving some aspects of the incident shrouded in uncertainty.

Sansom and Watson are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court for their first hearing on August 26. This initial appearance will likely involve procedural matters, including bail decisions and preliminary assessments of the evidence against them. Given the serious nature of the charges, it is anticipated that both men will remain in custody pending further legal proceedings. The court date provides a critical milestone in the judicial process, allowing prosecutors to outline their case and defense teams to begin preparing their responses.

The case of Sara Sharif has been one of the most high-profile criminal cases in recent British history. Her death in 2019 sparked national conversations about child safety, family dynamics, and the failures of social services to intervene despite known risks. The conviction of her parents was seen as a definitive resolution to the immediate legal questions surrounding her death. However, the subsequent attack on Urfan Sharif introduces new complexities, shifting focus from the original crime to the treatment and security of convicted offenders within the prison system.

Legal experts note that attempting to murder another inmate is a serious offense that can carry significant penalties, even for those already serving life sentences. The charges against Sansom and Watson could result in additional years added to their existing terms or new sentences if they are not already incarcerated for other crimes. The Crown Prosecution Service’s decision to pursue attempted murder charges indicates strong evidence linking the two men to the attack on Sharif.

As the legal process moves forward, attention will turn to the broader implications of this incident for prison management and inmate safety. HMP Belmarsh is known for housing some of the UK’s most dangerous criminals, including terrorists and organized crime figures. Ensuring the safety of all inmates, regardless of their crimes, remains a challenge for prison authorities. The attack on Sharif may prompt reviews of security measures and monitoring practices within the facility to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Public interest in the case is likely to remain high given the notoriety of the original crime. Media coverage will focus on the court proceedings and any new information released by investigators. For the families involved, particularly Sara’s relatives, this development may reopen painful memories and raise concerns about justice and accountability. The legal system now faces the task of addressing both the past tragedy and the present threat posed by the alleged attackers.

In the coming weeks, more details about the incident and the charges are expected to emerge as the case progresses through the judicial system. Legal analysts will scrutinize the evidence presented by prosecutors and the defense strategies employed by Sansom and Watson’s legal teams. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for how high-profile inmates are managed within the UK prison system, potentially influencing policy decisions regarding security and inmate interactions.

Sources behind this briefing

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