Two inmates have been charged with attempting to murder Urfan Sharif, the father serving a life sentence for the murder of his 10-year-old daughter Sara Sharif, following an alleged attack at HMP Belmarsh.
Steven Sansom, 47, and Adam Watson, 39, are accused of attempting to kill the 43-year-old at the high-security prison in south-east London on New Year’s Day 2025.
Sharif was reportedly ambushed in his cell and attacked with the jagged edge of a tuna tin lid, suffering cuts to his neck and face.
The Metropolitan Police previously confirmed that officers were investigating an allegation that a prisoner had been assaulted at Belmarsh and said the 43-year-old suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.
The Crown Prosecution Service has now authorised charges of attempted murder against Sansom and Watson.
Both men are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 26 August.
Daren Streeter, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London, said prosecutors had worked with the Metropolitan Police before deciding there was sufficient evidence to bring criminal proceedings.
“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 said.
“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.”
The CPS stressed that the proceedings are now active and warned against reporting or commentary that could prejudice the case.
Sansom and Watson have been charged over an alleged attack that took place shortly after Sharif began serving a life sentence for the murder of his daughter.
Sara was found dead in a bunk bed at her family home in Woking, Surrey, in August 2023.
Sharif was convicted of her murder and sentenced in December 2024 to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years.
Sara had suffered extensive injuries before her death. Appeal proceedings were later told she had 71 recent external injuries, including 25 fractures, burns, scalding injuries and human bite marks.
Sentencing Sharif, Mr Justice Cavanagh described Sara’s death as the culmination of years of neglect and repeated assaults, saying she had been subjected to treatment that amounted to torture.
Sara’s stepmother, Beinash Batool, was also convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 33 years.
Her uncle, Faisal Malik, was convicted of causing or allowing Sara’s death and sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Sansom and Watson are expected to make their first court appearance over the attempted murder charge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 26 August.