Police have launched an investigation after the father of murdered schoolgirl Sara Sharif suffered severe injuries during an attack by fellow prisoners.
Urfan Sharif was allegedly ambushed by two inmates in a cell at HMP Belmarsh armed with the jagged lid of a tuna tin on New Year’s Day, just weeks after he began a life sentence for the murder of his daughter.
The 43-year-old reportedly suffered cuts to his neck and face and received medical treatment inside the prison.
It is understood Sharif did not need to be taken to an outside hospital, but sources said that he was treated in the prison’s hospital.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating an allegation that a prisoner was assaulted at HMP Belmarsh on 1 January. The victim, a 43-year-old man, suffered non-life threatening injuries.”
A Prison Service spokesman added: “Police are investigating an assault on a prisoner at HMP Belmarsh on January 1. It would be inappropriate to comment further while they investigate.”
Sharif and Sara’s stepmother, Beinash Batool, were jailed for life in December for years of horrific “torture” and “despicable” abuse that culminated in the 10-year-old’s murder.
Sara Sharif was found dead at her family home in Woking in 2023 – GETTY IMAGES
A source told The Sun: “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. He 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.”
The source added: “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.”
Following a 10-week trial, Sharif was handed a minimum term of 40 years and Batool was given 33 years.
Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, who was found guilty of causing or allowing her death, was jailed for 16 years.
The court heard that Sara had suffered “unimaginable pain, misery and anxiety” as she was repeatedly beaten, burned, bitten and restrained at the family home in Woking, Surrey.
‘Neglect, assaults and torture’
Sara’s body was found at the family’s home in Surrey in August 2023 after being subjected to treatment the judge described as “nothing short of gruesome”.
In a televised sentencing at the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Cavanagh said Sara’s death “was the culmination of years of neglect, frequent assaults and what can only be described as torture”, mainly at the hands of Sharif.
The senior judge said Sara’s “despicable treatment” took place in “plain sight and in front of the rest of the family”.
Mr Justice Cavanagh told Sharif: “You treated her in such a way because you considered it your right to impose harsh discipline on her.
“Sara was a brave, feisty and spirited child. She was not submissive as you wanted her to be. She stood up to you.
“I have no doubt that your ego and sense of self importance was boosted by the power you wielded over her and the rest of the family.”
The judge said Sara’s death illustrated the “dangers” of unsupervised home schooling, as the couple managed to withdraw her from school when safeguarding issues were raised.
Sara was seen with bruises on her face at school on two occasions but was withdrawn by her father and stepmother to be home-schooled shortly after. Social workers never visited her at home, despite concerns previously being raised by the school.
Belmarsh is a Category A prison which houses high numbers of murderers and terrorists, including Ali Harbi Ali, the killer of MP David Amess, and Stephen Port, who was convicted of the murder of four young men and multiple rapes.
