Inmates deny attempt to murder Sara Sharif's father

Two prisoners have pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Urfan Sharif, who is serving a life sentence for killing his 10-year-old daughter, Sara Sharif.

Steven Sansom, 47, and Adam Watson, 39, were charged last month following an attack in Belmarsh Prison on 1 January 2025, which reportedly left Sharif with cuts to his face.

Sharif and Sara's stepmother, Beinash Batool, were sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering Sara at their home in Woking, Surrey.

Sansom and Watson appeared at the Old Bailey via video links from HMP Wakefield on Wednesday.

The hearing was told how Samsom reportedly invited Sharif into a cell at Belmarsh, where Watson was waiting, at which point Watson allegedly took hold of him and punched him repeatedly before Sansom applied pressure to his throat.

Prosecutors then claim Watson passed an object to Sansom, which was used to make cutting motions to Sharif's throat.

The pair also deny wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and unauthorised possession of two weapons in the form of a tin lid, and a pen attached to a handle.

Judge Lynn Tayton KC set a two-week trial for 19 July, 2027, with pre-trial hearing set for June.

Urfan Sharif was sentenced to a minimum of 40 years in prison for murder, while his wife Beinash Batool, 30, received a minimum of 33 years.

Sara's uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, was sentenced to 16 years' imprisonment for causing or allowing her death.

The three fled to Pakistan, with Sara's five siblings, the day before her body was found in 2023.

They hid out there for four weeks before returning to the UK, where they were arrested.

Sara's siblings remain in Pakistan , where they have been living with their paternal grandfather.