Two prisoners have entered not guilty pleas to charges of attempted murder against fellow inmate Urfan Sharif, who is serving a life sentence for killing his 10-year-old daughter, Sara Sharif, at their home in Woking, Surrey.
Steven Sansom, 47, and Adam Watson, 39, faced charges following an incident at Belmarsh Prison on 1 January 2025. According to reporting on the charges, Sharif sustained cuts to his face, mouth and neck during the attack. The Crown Prosecution Service announced the charges on 14 August 2026, with the men making their first court appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 26 August 2026.
Sharif and Sara's stepmother, Beinash Batool, were both sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Sara at their Woking residence.
What happened during the alleged attack?
The prosecution alleges that Sansom invited Sharif into a cell at Belmarsh where Watson was present. According to the case details, Watson then allegedly seized Sharif and struck him repeatedly with his fists before Sansom applied pressure to his throat. Prosecutors claim Watson subsequently handed an object to Sansom, which was then used to make cutting motions toward Sharif's throat. The alleged weapon was a bent tin lid, according to the charge sheet.
Following the attack, Sharif was transferred from Belmarsh to HMP Frankland under heightened security measures.
What are the charges?
Both men deny attempted murder. They also deny wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and unauthorised possession of two weapons—identified as a bent tin lid and a pen attached to a handle.
What happens next?
Sansom and Watson appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from HMP Wakefield on Wednesday. Judge Lynn Tayton KC scheduled a two-week trial to begin on 19 July 2027, with a pre-trial hearing set for June 2027.
Key Facts:
- The alleged attack occurred at Belmarsh Prison on 1 January 2025
- Sharif is serving a life sentence for the murder of his daughter Sara Sharif in Woking
- The trial is scheduled for July 2027 with a pre-trial hearing in June 2027
- Both defendants deny all charges including attempted murder and wounding with intent
