The case of Sara Sharif, the 10-year-old schoolgirl whose murder shocked the nation, has taken another troubling turn. Two inmates at HMP Belmarsh have denied charges that they tried to kill Sara's father, Urfan Sharif, in his cell on New Year's Day 2025. The allegation, which the men strongly refute, adds a volatile chapter to a story already marked by profound tragedy and public outrage.
Steven Sansom, 47, and Adam Watson, 39, appeared via video link at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, where they each pleaded not guilty to a single count of attempted murder. The court heard that Sansom allegedly invited Sharif into a cell where Watson was waiting, and that the pair then attacked him with makeshift weapons. Sharif was treated for his injuries and has since recovered. The trial is expected to take place later this year.
For those unfamiliar with the background: Urfan Sharif is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of his daughter Sara, who was found dead at the family home in Woking, Surrey, in August 2023. Her death followed years of horrific abuse, and the case prompted a nationwide debate about the failures of social services and the family court system. Sharif was convicted alongside his wife, Beinash Batool, and his brother, Faisal Malik. The brutality of Sara's death, and the fact that she was known to authorities before her murder, made her name a rallying cry for child protection reform.
Now, the focus shifts to the alleged attack inside one of the UK's most high-security prisons. HMP Belmarsh, in south-east London, houses some of the country's most dangerous offenders, including terrorists and high-profile murderers. It is a place where tensions can run high, and where the line between prisoner and victim can blur in an instant. The charge against Sansom and Watson raises urgent questions about how safely such notorious inmates can be held, and whether the prison system is equipped to prevent vigilante violence.
What We Know About the Alleged Attack
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on the afternoon of 1 January 2025 in a wing of HMP Belmarsh. Sansom is said to have approached Sharif and invited him to a cell, where Watson was lying in wait. Once inside, the two men allegedly set upon Sharif with improvised weapons. Prison officers intervened, and Sharif was taken to the prison's healthcare unit before being transferred to an outside hospital for further treatment. He sustained injuries that were serious but not life-threatening.
The Crown Prosecution Service has charged both men with attempted murder. At the plea hearing, Sansom and Watson spoke only to confirm their names and to enter their not guilty pleas. A provisional trial date has been set for October 2025, with a further case management hearing scheduled for March. Both men remain in custody.
Legal analysts note that attempted murder is a difficult charge to prove, as it requires evidence of a specific intent to kill rather than merely to cause serious harm. The defence is likely to argue that any altercation was not premeditated and did not carry the necessary intent. The prosecution, meanwhile, will point to the alleged planning: the invitation into the cell, the presence of makeshift weapons, and the ferocity of the attack.
The Broader Context: Sara Sharif's Murder and Its Aftermath
Sara Sharif's death in August 2023 was a watershed moment for child safeguarding in the UK. The 10-year-old had been subjected to months of abuse, including being burned, beaten and restrained. Her father, Urfan Sharif, and stepmother, Beinash Batool, were found guilty of her murder in December 2024, while her uncle, Faisal Malik, was convicted of causing or allowing her death. The trial revealed a litany of missed opportunities by social workers, police and the courts to intervene and protect Sara.
The case led to a series of reviews and a government pledge to reform the child protection system. It also intensified public anger towards the perpetrators, with calls for tougher sentences and for a rethink of how domestic abuse and honour-based violence are handled. Urfan Sharif's own background, including allegations of domestic abuse against Sara's mother, was heavily scrutinised during the trial.
Given this context, it is hardly surprising that Sharif would be a target inside prison. Inmates convicted of crimes against children are often subjected to hostility from other prisoners. Prison authorities are legally obligated to protect all inmates, regardless of their offences, but the reality is that high-profile child killers are frequently placed in vulnerable prisoner units or kept in segregation for their own safety. The fact that Sharif was allegedly attacked in his cell suggests either a failure of those protective measures or a calculated breach by the attackers.
Prison Safety Under the Microscope
The alleged attack at HMP Belmarsh is the latest in a series of incidents that have drawn attention to violence within the prison estate. According to Ministry of Justice figures, there were over 20,000 assaults on staff and prisoners in the year to March 2024, a slight decrease from the previous year but still alarmingly high. High-security prisons like Belmarsh are particularly challenging environments, where a mix of gang affiliations, mental health issues and overcrowding can create a combustible atmosphere.
Prison officers have long warned that staff shortages and budget cuts have made it harder to maintain order and ensure safety. The POA, the prison officers' union, has repeatedly called for more resources and for a review of how vulnerable prisoners are managed. In the wake of this incident, those calls are likely to grow louder.
For Urfan Sharif, the attack, if proven, underscores the precariousness of his situation. He is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years, meaning he will spend decades behind bars. Whether he will ever be safe in the general prison population is an open question. The prison service may decide to move him to a different establishment or to keep him in isolation for his own protection. Either way, his presence in the prison system will continue to be a source of tension.
What Happens Next?
The trial of Sansom and Watson is set to begin in October 2025. In the meantime, the court will hear further legal arguments, and the prosecution will continue to build its case. The outcome will depend on the evidence presented, including CCTV footage, witness testimony from prison staff and inmates, and medical reports.
Whatever the verdict, the case is a stark reminder of the hidden dramas that play out inside prisons, far from public view. It also highlights the enduring legacy of Sara Sharif's murder, which continues to shape debates about child protection, criminal justice and prison safety. For the family of Sara Sharif, the news of the alleged attack on her father must be a painful reminder of the violence that has defined their lives. For the rest of us, it is a signal that the consequences of such crimes ripple outward in ways that are often unpredictable and deeply troubling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Steven Sansom and Adam Watson?
Steven Sansom, 47, and Adam Watson, 39, are prisoners at HMP Belmarsh. They have been charged with the attempted murder of Urfan Sharif. Both men deny the charge.
What exactly happened on New Year's Day 2025 at HMP Belmarsh?
According to the prosecution, Sansom invited Urfan Sharif into a cell where Watson was waiting. The two men then allegedly attacked Sharif with makeshift weapons. Sharif was injured but survived. Sansom and Watson have pleaded not guilty to attempted murder.
Why is Urfan Sharif in prison?
Urfan Sharif is serving a life sentence for the murder of his 10-year-old daughter, Sara Sharif, who was found dead in Woking in August 2023. He was convicted in December 2024.
When will the trial of Sansom and Watson take place?
A provisional trial date has been set for October 2025 at the Old Bailey. A further hearing is expected in March 2025.
How does this affect prison safety policies?
The case has renewed concerns about violence in prisons, particularly against high-profile inmates. It may lead to increased scrutiny of protective measures and staffing levels at HMP Belmarsh and other high-security facilities.