Police have launched an investigation after the father of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Sharif was seriously injured in an attack by a prison inmate.
Urfan Sharif was allegedly ambushed in his cell at Belmarsh Royal Constabulary Prison on New Year’s Day by two prisoners armed with jagged lids from tuna cans just before he was charged with murdering his daughter. A few weeks after being sentenced to life in prison.
The 43-year-old man reportedly suffered injuries to his neck and face and was treated at the jail.
It is understood Sharif did not need to be taken to an outside hospital, but sources said he was being treated at the prison hospital.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating an allegation that a prisoner was assaulted at HMP Belmarsh on January 1. 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 the investigation is underway.”
Beinash Batool, Sharif and Sara’s stepmother, was jailed for life in December for years of horrific “torture” and “despicable” abuse that culminated in the 10-year-old’s murder.
Sara Sharif found dead at home in Woking in 2023 – GETTY IMAGES
A source told The Sun: “Urfan was badly slashed in his cell by two other men who burst in. “It was planned and they used a makeshift weapon – the lid of a can of tuna. Made. He suffered cuts on his neck and face and is still receiving treatment in a very bad condition.
“He was lucky to survive. He had to get stitches and will have scars on his body as a permanent reminder of the attack. Guards were trying to keep him safe because he obviously had A goal.
The source added: “Sharif has tried to keep a low profile since being imprisoned, but word of who he was spread quickly.
“The prisoners were unhappy that he was with them and many of them didn’t like people who attack children, even though other prisoners had committed heinous crimes. A lot of them were saying that something like this was inappropriate Could have happened to a more deserving person.
After a 10-week trial, Sharif was sentenced to at least 40 years in prison and Batur to 33 years in prison.
Sara’s uncle Faisal Malik, 29, was jailed for 16 years for causing or allowing Sara’s death.
The court heard Sarah suffered “unimaginable pain, suffering and anxiety” after being repeatedly beaten, burned, bitten and restrained at her home in Woking, Surrey.
‘Neglect, assault and torture’
Sarah’s body was discovered at her Surrey home in August 2023, after she underwent what a judge described as “extremely horrific” treatment.
In a televised sentencing at the Old Bailey, Judge Kavanagh said Sarah’s death was “the result of years of neglect, frequent attacks and what can only be described as torture”, mainly at the hands of Sharif.
The senior judge said Sarah’s “despicable treatment” occurred “in full view and in front of her family”.
Judge Kavanagh told Sharif: “You treated her in this way because you believed you had the right to impose severe discipline on her.
“Sarah is a brave, spirited, spirited child. She is not as submissive as you would like her to be. She stands up against you.
“I have no doubt that the power you exerted over her and other members of the family enhanced your sense of self and self-importance.”
The judge said Sarah’s death illustrated the “dangers” of unsupervised home education because the couple sought to have her withdrawn when safety concerns were raised.
Sarah was twice seen at school with bruises on her face, but soon after her father and stepmother homeschooled her. Although the school had previously raised concerns, social workers never visited her home.
Belmarsh is a Category A prison that houses a large number of murderers and terrorists, including Ali Harbi Ali, who killed MP David Ames, and who was convicted of murdering four young people and many others. Stephen Port, convicted of rape.
