Urfan Sharif, convicted of murdering his 10-year-old daughter, Sara Sharif, was attacked in Belmarsh Prison on New Year’s Day. Sharif, 43, was reportedly ambushed by two inmates in his cell, using a makeshift weapon crafted from the lid of a tuna can. The assault caused severe cuts to his face and neck, leaving him in need of stitches and medical care.
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Belmarsh Prison officials and the Metropolitan Police have confirmed investigations into the attack, emphasizing that Sharif’s injuries were not life-threatening. A source described the attack as premeditated, with prisoners targeting Sharif due to the nature of his crime, which involved prolonged abuse and torture of his young daughter.
Case That Shocked the Nation
Sara Sharif’s tragic death in August 2023 exposed a horrifying pattern of abuse inflicted by her father, stepmother Beinash Batool, and uncle Faisal Malik. The abuse, described as “torture” by Justice Cavanagh during sentencing at the Old Bailey, spanned over two years. Sara was found dead in her home in Woking, Surrey, with 71 external injuries, including burns, bruises, bite marks, and fractures.
The court heard gut-wrenching details of Sara’s treatment, including being hooded, beaten with a cricket bat, burned with an iron, and restrained with boiling water poured on her ankles. She was also subjected to physical punishment for showing fear or anxiety, such as vomiting or wetting herself. The abuse culminated in her death, which the court deemed the result of years of systematic cruelty.
Life Sentences for the Perpetrators
In December 2024, Urfan Sharif was sentenced to a minimum of 40 years in prison for Sara’s murder. His wife, Beinash Batool, received 33 years for her complicity in the abuse and eventual killing. Faisal Malik was convicted of causing or allowing Sara’s death and was sentenced to 16 years. The sentencing judge condemned the trio’s lack of remorse, highlighting their attempts to cover up the abuse by homeschooling Sara and using makeup and a hijab to conceal her injuries.
Justice Cavanagh emphasized the deliberate cruelty of the treatment, stating that Sara was singled out among her siblings due to her stepmother’s resentment and Sharif’s authoritarian parenting style. Sara was deprived of an education, forced into servitude within the household, and subjected to punishments that Justice Cavanagh described as “inconceivable.”
Escape and Capture
Following Sara’s death, Sharif, Batool, and Malik fled to Pakistan with Sara’s five siblings. They evaded authorities for weeks before returning to the UK, where they were arrested and prosecuted. During the trial, Sharif confessed mid-way, but the judge dismissed his expression of remorse as a “ploy.”
Sara’s biological mother, Olga Domin, who had previously lost a custody battle for her daughter, described the anguish of losing Sara and the daily visits she makes to her daughter’s grave. Domin fought to keep Sara away from Sharif, raising concerns about his abusive tendencies, but her fears were tragically realized.
Target in Prison
Belmarsh Prison, a high-security facility housing some of the UK’s most dangerous criminals, became a hostile environment for Sharif. Prison sources revealed that inmates were outraged by the nature of his crimes, particularly the abuse and killing of a child.
The attack on Sharif, described as inevitable by insiders, highlights the harsh realities of life for convicted child abusers in prison. Despite heightened security measures, Sharif’s notoriety and the horrific details of his crime made him a target.
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The Metropolitan Police and Prison Service continue to investigate the attack, with authorities declining to provide further details while inquiries are ongoing. Meanwhile, Sharif remains under medical care within the prison, facing both the consequences of his crimes and the dangers of incarceration.