Urfan Sharif, convicted of brutally killing his 10-year-old daughter, is attacked in prison by fellow inmates. The assault comes after his child murder case shocked the world and led to his life sentence.
The prison system has delivered a grim form of justice for Urfan Sharif, the man convicted of murdering his 10-year-old daughter, Sara Sharif. Sharif, who was sentenced to life imprisonment after his chilling crime, was ambushed by fellow inmates just weeks into his sentence at South London’s notorious HMP Belmarsh, known as Britain’s Guantanamo Bay.
Sara’s tragic death in August 2023 left the world in shock. The young girl, described as a loving and bright child, was tortured over a two-year period before her body was found in her family home in Woking, Surrey. She had endured horrific abuse, including being hooded, beaten, and burned, ultimately succumbing to the violence inflicted upon her.
A Heartbreaking Discovery
When police arrived at the home, they discovered Sara’s lifeless body in a bunk bed, accompanied by a confession letter written by her father. In the letter, Urfan admitted to beating his daughter, though he claimed his actions were not intended to kill her. He also stated he was “scared” and would return before the post-mortem.
Authorities later confirmed that Sara had suffered more than 70 injuries, including broken bones, burns, and severe head trauma. Her father and two other family members, her stepmother Beinash Batool and uncle Faisal Malik, fled to Pakistan the day before Sara’s body was found. After a massive international manhunt, they were arrested and charged for the crime.
The Sentencing
In December 2024, Sharif was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 40 years. Batool was sentenced to life with a minimum of 33 years, while Malik received 16 years for causing or allowing the death of a child. During the sentencing, Judge Cavanagh described their actions as a “campaign of torture,” with a degree of cruelty that was “almost inconceivable.”
Sara’s birth mother, Olga Domin, delivered a powerful statement during the trial, calling the accused “sadists” and “executioners,” condemning their actions in the most forceful terms. “She is now an angel who looks down on us from heaven. She is no longer experiencing violence,” Domin said.
Inmate Justice
Upon entering prison, Sharif was quickly labeled a “marked man” by fellow inmates. His status as a child murderer in a population of hardened criminals put him in a dangerous position, as many convicts adhere to a code that despises those who harm children.
A source at HMP Belmarsh revealed that word quickly spread about Sharif’s crime. “Inmates were not happy he is in there with them… a lot of them don’t like people who attack children,” the source explained.
On New Year’s Day, just weeks after his arrival, Sharif was attacked by two inmates who were reportedly disgusted by his crime. Using a jagged tuna can lid as a weapon, the attackers slashed Sharif in the neck and face. He was badly injured, requiring stitches, but was fortunate to survive the brutal assault.
“He was lucky to survive,” the insider said. “The guards tried to keep him safe, but he had a target on his back after the case was such big news.” The attack was not a surprise to many, with some prisoners even expressing that Sharif “deserved it.”
The Attackers and Their Background
Reports suggest that one of the attackers, Steve Sansom, is serving a life sentence for the murder and dismemberment of Sarah Mayhew in 2024. Sansom has also been convicted of another murder in 1999, for the killing of cab driver Terrence Boyle.
The attacks on Sharif in prison raise questions about the treatment of child murderers in the criminal justice system and the ethics of vigilante justice behind bars.
