Pair charged with attempted murder of Sara Sharif's father after killer 'had his throat slit with tuna can lid' in Belmarsh prison

By ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 13:46, 14 August 2026 | Updated: 13:56, 14 August 2026 Two men have been charged with attempted murder after Sara Sharif's killer father 'had his throat slit with a tuna can lid' at HMP Belmarsh. Steven Sansom, 47, and Adam Watson, 39, are accused of trying to kill the child murderer in January 2025. Sharif, 44, was ambushed by two prisoners in his cell on New Year's Day, it was reported at the time. He was left in a critical condition in hospital after allegedly having his throat slashed, but ultimately survived.  It came just weeks after Sharif was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 40 years for the harrowing abuse and killing of his ten-year-old daughter, Sara.  A prison source said at the time: 'Urfan was sliced up badly in his cell by two others who rushed in. It was planned and they used a makeshift weapon — made from the lid of a tin of tuna.  'He was sliced in the neck and face, and is still in healthcare and in a very bad way. 'He was lucky to survive, has had to have stitches and will have scars as a permanent reminder of the attack. The guards tried to keep him safe because he obviously had a target on his back after the case was such big news. Urfan Sharif, 44, was jumped by to prisoners in his cell on New Year's Day and suffered serious injuries Sara Sharif, 10, suffered 'unimaginable pain' during more than two years of abuse and was ultimately tortured to death, a judge ruled 'Something like this was always on the cards, and an attack was probably only a matter of time. 'Sharif has tried to keep his head down since coming into the jail, but word quickly got round about who he was. 'Inmates were not happy he is in there with them and, although the other prisoners are in for heinous crimes, a lot of them don't like people who attack children. A lot of them are saying how it couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy.' The pair have been charged with attempted murder and section 18 offences, the CPS said. They will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court for a first hearing on 26 August 2026. During Sharif's trial a court heard that the 10-year-old schoolgirl suffered 'unimaginable pain' during more than two years of abuse and was ultimately tortured to death by her father and stepmother Beinash Batool, 30. Mr Justice Cavanagh began his sentencing remarks by describing the degree of cruelty shown towards Sara as 'inconceivable', and jailed Sharif to a minimum term of 40 years, Batool to 33 years and her uncle, Faisal Malik, to 16 years in prison. Daren Streeter, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor in CPS London, said: '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. '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. '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 anyway prejudice these proceedings.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.