Warning: This article discusses child abuse, which may be distressing for some readers.
There are new allegations regarding the attack on Sara Sharif’s father at HMP Belmarsh, as a source close to the prison has revealed the supposed motive. Authorities have confirmed they are investigating the incident.
The Prison Service spokesperson announced today (January 3) that an inquiry is being conducted concerning the assault on a prisoner at South London’s HMP Belmarsh on January 1.
While the spokesperson mentioned that further comments would be ‘inappropriate’ until the investigation concludes, reports suggest the victim was Urfan Sharif. He is the 43-year-old father of Sara Sharif, who was tragically killed at her Surrey home in 2023 following what was described as a prolonged ‘campaign of torture’.
Sara endured severe abuse, including burns and beatings, over two years before her body was discovered in August 2023.
Urfan Sharif was sentenced last month to a life term at Belmarsh prison.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson has verified that the injured party was a ’43-year-old man’ who sustained ‘non-life-threatening injuries’.
Sources, reportedly knowledgeable about the incident, informed The Sun that Sharif was the target of an ‘orchestrated’ attack involving ‘the jagged lid of a tuna tin’.
“He was sliced in the neck and face… He was lucky to survive, has had to have stitches, and will have scars as a permanent reminder of the attack,” the source claimed.
The insider explained to the publication that Sharif is being targeted due to the widespread coverage of his daughter’s murder.
They further remarked: “Inmates were not pleased that he is housed alongside them, and despite their own severe crimes, many do not tolerate those who harm children.”
The source alleged that prison guards ‘tried to keep [Sharif] safe’, but added, “An incident like this was anticipated, and an attack seemed inevitable.”
HMP Belmarsh is a Category A facility, indicating it’s a high-security prison for male inmates who would pose significant risks to public safety, law enforcement, or national security if they escaped.
Sharif is serving a minimum sentence of 40 years at Belmarsh, while his wife, Beinash Batool, has been sentenced to at least 33 years for her involvement in Sara’s death. Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, received a 16-year sentence.
The day before Sara was discovered, the three adults fled to Pakistan with her five siblings. They stayed there for four weeks before coming back to the UK, where they were arrested.
If you are affected by these matters or need confidential advice regarding child welfare, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)) operates 24/7, accepting calls from the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico.