Father of two-year-old girl murdered by her mother and new boyfriend says she was 'failed' by authorities who missed chances to save her

Urfan Sharif, the man convicted of murdering 10-year-old Sara Sharif, has survived an alleged attempted decapitation by fellow inmates in a British prison. The incident occurred during New Year’s Day 2024, when two prisoners reportedly ambushed Sharif in a cell, using a jagged tin can lid to slash at his throat. The attack, described in court as “planned and coordinated,” nearly ended Sharif’s life, though prison officers intervened before the assault could be completed. The victims of the attack, Steven Sansom and Adam Watson, are themselves convicted murderers. Sansom, who is serving a whole-life term for the murder of Sarah Mayhew in 2024, and Watson, who received 21 years for killing Samantha Holden in 2024, were brought before Westminster Magistrates Court earlier this month. They face new charges, including attempted murder and unauthorized possession of weapons, following the alleged attack on Sharif. Both men appeared via videolink and were remanded in custody, with a plea hearing scheduled for September 23 at the Old Bailey. According to the prosecution, the attack was motivated by revenge. Sansom allegedly confessed to prison guards shortly after the incident, stating he had lured Sharif into the cell under the pretense of friendship before attempting to kill him. “I pulled him in here and then I tried to kill him,” Sansom reportedly said. When asked why, he allegedly replied, “Because he killed his daughter… I wanted to cut his head off.” The court heard that Watson physically restrained Sharif while Sansom carried out the attack. Watson allegedly held the cell door to prevent others from entering, while Sansom used the tin can lid to make repeated cutting motions toward Sharif’s throat. The attack left Sharif with injuries to his neck, forearm, and left middle finger. He was found bloodied and distressed on the floor, with Sansom still on top of him when prison staff arrived. Sharif, who is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years for Sara’s murder, has faced hostility within the prison system since his conviction. As a convicted child murderer, he occupies the lowest rung of the prison hierarchy, making him a target for other inmates. His attackers, however, have their own dark histories of violence, which likely contributed to the severity of the assault. The case has drawn attention to the dangers faced by high-profile criminals in the UK prison system. While some inmates may seek retribution for crimes committed outside of prison walls, others may act on personal vendettas or opportunistic motives. In this instance, the attackers’ actions suggest a calculated effort to exact vengeance for the death of a young girl. The trial of Sansom and Watson is expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the attack. Their legal representatives have yet to comment publicly on the allegations, but the prosecution has presented compelling evidence, including statements made by Sansom to prison staff immediately after the incident. The outcome of the upcoming plea hearing will determine whether the pair will stand trial for the new charges. Meanwhile, Sharif continues to serve his sentence at HMP Belmarsh, where the incident has undoubtedly altered his daily existence. The attack serves as a grim reminder of the risks faced by individuals incarcerated for violent crimes, even as they remain behind bars for the rest of their lives. The case also highlights the complex dynamics within prisons, where relationships can shift rapidly based on reputation, past offenses, and perceived threats. For Sharif, the attack underscores the ongoing consequences of his actions, even as he remains confined to a facility designed to isolate and punish the most dangerous offenders.