Urfan Sharif, 43, convicted last month of the horrific murder of his 10-year-old daughter Sara Sharif, was violently attacked in HMP Belmarsh on New Year’s Day by two inmates using a makeshift weapon fashioned from a tuna tin lid.
Sharif, branded an “executioner” during his trial, is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years for the abuse and killing of Sara, whose body was found in Woking, Surrey, in August 2023 with extensive injuries.
The Attack
According to prison insiders, the attack on Sharif was premeditated, with the two inmates entering his cell armed with the jagged lid. Sharif suffered severe cuts to his neck and face during the assault, requiring stitches. Although his injuries were not life-threatening, he remains in the prison’s healthcare unit in a critical emotional and physical state.
One source said, “The attack was inevitable given the nature of his crimes. Despite precautions, his notoriety made him a target.”
Official Response
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are investigating the assault. A spokesperson stated, “We are investigating an allegation of assault on a 43-year-old prisoner at HMP Belmarsh. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries.”
Sara Sharif’s Case
Sara Sharif was found dead on August 8, 2023, with over 100 injuries sustained during a two-year period of severe abuse. The court heard harrowing details of her suffering, including burns and beatings, inflicted by Sharif, his partner Beinash Batool, and brother Faisal Malik.
Following Sara’s death, Sharif and his co-defendants fled to Pakistan, leaving Sara’s lifeless body in their Woking home. They were extradited back to the UK to face justice and subsequently convicted.
Public Reaction
The attack on Sharif has sparked mixed reactions, with some expressing anger over the attack in custody, while others view it as inevitable given the nature of his crimes. Advocacy groups have urged authorities to ensure prisoner safety, regardless of their offenses.
Sharif’s wounds, described as “a permanent reminder” of the assault, underline the challenges of managing high-profile inmates in maximum-security facilities like Belmarsh.
Sara’s case continues to resonate as one of the most shocking examples of domestic abuse and filicide in recent years, with authorities calling for increased vigilance and support to prevent similar tragedies.
