Niamh Shackleton
Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse which some readers may find distressing
Sara Sharif's father has reportedly been attacked in prison less than a month after receiving his life sentence.
In December, Urfan Sharif was found guilty of murdering his 10-year-old daughter Sara at his home in Surrey, UK, and received life behind bars.
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Sara's step-mother, Beinash Batool, also received a life sentence for her involvement in the young girl's death.
The schoolgirl was found dead in August 2023, with her father and step-mother fleeing to Pakistan shortly after.
The pair were sentenced on December 17, 2024, and Urfan has since started serving his time at HMP Belmarsh - a London-based prison known for housing criminals involved in high profile cases.
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Now, just a few weeks after beginning his life-long sentence, Urfan has reportedly been attacked by two fellow inmates.
The ordeal occurred on New Year's Day, and saw the abusive father be attacked with a jagged lid of a tuna tin.
The Sun reported the 43-year-old had suffered cuts to his neck and face and received medical treatment inside the prison.
Urfan isn't thought to have been taken to hospital.
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A Prison Service spokesperson said of the incident: "Police are investigating an assault on a prisoner at HMP Belmarsh on January 1. It would be inappropriate to comment further while they investigate."
Confirming that an investigation is underway, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said officers are probing 'an allegation that a prisoner was assaulted at Belmarsh', adding that 'the 43-year-old suffered non life-threatening injuries'.
UNILAD have approached the UK Prison Service for further comment.
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During Urfan's trail last month, the court heard that Sara had suffered 'unimaginable pain, misery and anxiety' as she was repeatedly beaten, burned, bitten and restrained at the family home.
As well as her father and step-mother, Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, who was found guilty of causing or allowing her death, was jailed for 16 years.
In a televised sentencing, Mr Justice Cavanagh said Sara’s death 'was the culmination of years of neglect, frequent assaults and what can only be described as torture', mainly at the hands of her father.
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According to the judge, the abuse that the 10-year-old endured took place 'in plain sight and in front of the rest of the family'.
At the time of Sara's murder, Urfan called the police and said he'd 'legally punished' the young girl.
She was was found to have suffered burns, 'probable human bite marks', broken bones and extensive bruising when police arrived at the scene.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues or want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico.