Two inmates deny trying to murder Sara Sharif's father with makeshift weapons in his Belmarsh cell

From the Newshound archive · first published 23 September 2026 · last updated 24 September 2026.

Steven Sansom, 47, and Adam Watson, 39, appeared at the Old Bailey by videolink from Wakefield prison, each pleading not guilty to attempted murder and to wounding Urfan Sharif with intent at HMP Belmarsh on New Year's Day 2025. Prosecutors alleged that Sansom lured Sharif into a cell, where Watson punched him repeatedly, pressed on his throat and made cutting motions with a sharpened object. Prison officers found Sharif covered in blood, with injuries to his face, mouth and neck. Judge Lynn Tayton KC has scheduled a two-week trial beginning July 19 next year.

Both men also denied possessing two improvised weapons — a tin lid and a pen attached to a handle.

Urfan Sharif is serving a minimum 40-year life sentence for torturing his daughter Sara to death; stepmother Beinash Batool received at least 33 years.

Sara Sharif, 10, endured more than two years of 'despicable' abuse before she was murdered in August 2023.