The brutal murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif left the world shaken—but the tragedy did not end with her death. Now, her killer father Urfan Sharif has faced a violent assault in prison, as fellow inmates reportedly took justice into their own hands.
The horrifying case of Sara Sharif—whose short life was marked by unimaginable suffering—sent shockwaves across the globe in 2023. The British-Pakistani girl from Woking, Surrey, was just 10 years old when her battered body was discovered at home. Her death would expose a heartbreaking tale of abuse, neglect, and ultimately, betrayal by the people she should have trusted most: her own family.
A Two-Year Campaign of Torture
According to court reports and the BBC, Sara had been the victim of a prolonged “campaign of torture” that lasted over two years. The abuse she endured was harrowing—she was found with more than 70 distinct injuries, including:
Multiple fractures to her ribs and spine
A traumatic brain injury
A burn mark from a domestic iron
Human bite marks
A puncture wound to the head
Medical experts revealed the scale of her suffering to be among the worst they had ever seen in a child abuse case. Prosecutors confirmed that her injuries were consistent with long-term, repeated assaults.
A Father’s Chilling Confession
The day after Sara’s body was discovered, her father Urfan Sharif, stepmother Beinash Batool, and uncle Faisal Malik had already fled the UK for Pakistan. Inside the house, police found a handwritten note on the bunkbed next to Sara’s lifeless body.
The note read:
“Whoever sees this note, it’s me Urfan Sharif who killed my daughter by beating. I am running away because I am scared.”
He added:
“I swear to God that my intention was not to kill her. But I lost it. I’ll be back before the postmortem.”
This disturbing message revealed both guilt and cowardice—and launched an international manhunt that lasted several weeks. Eventually, all three suspects were captured and returned to the UK to face justice.
Sentencing the Killers: Life Behind Bars
On December 17, 2024, the courts delivered their verdict.
Urfan Sharif, 42, received life in prison with a minimum term of 40 years
Beinash Batool, 30, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 33 years
Faisal Malik, 29, received 16 years for causing or allowing the death of a child
During sentencing, Justice Cavanagh condemned the trio’s actions as “sadistic” and described Sara’s suffering as “almost inconceivable.”
At one point, Urfan changed his plea and admitted his role in her death, stating:
“She died because of me.”
A Mother’s Heartbreak
Sara’s biological mother, Olga Domin, delivered a gut-wrenching victim impact statement that was read aloud in court. She referred to her daughter’s killers as “executioners,” adding:
“Even the word ‘sadists’ does not describe you. You are monsters.”
Addressing her late daughter, she said:
“You are now an angel who watches over us from heaven. You are finally free from the pain and violence.”
Life in Prison: Urfan Faces Inmate Retribution
But for Urfan Sharif, the nightmare has continued—even behind bars. Since arriving at HMP Belmarsh, a notorious high-security prison often referred to as “Britain’s Guantanamo Bay”, Sharif has reportedly tried to keep a low profile.
However, in prison, there is an unwritten code among inmates: those who harm children are often considered the lowest of the low.
A source told The Sun that “word spread quickly” about Sharif’s crimes. Despite being surrounded by other violent offenders, many prisoners view crimes against children as inexcusable.
On New Year’s Day, just weeks into his sentence, Sharif was violently attacked in his cell. According to reports, two inmates—disgusted by the abuse Sara endured—ambushed him using a makeshift weapon made from the jagged lid of a tuna can.
The source stated:
“Urfan was sliced up badly in his cell… He was cut on the neck and face and is still in the prison hospital. He’s lucky to be alive.”
Sharif required stitches and will reportedly have permanent facial scars from the assault. The source added that the attack had been “inevitable” due to the infamy of his crime.
“This was always going to happen. A lot of the inmates think it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving guy.”
Who Attacked Him? A Killer’s Justice
Reports now suggest that one of the attackers may have been Steve Sansom, a fellow inmate currently serving a life sentence for the 2024 murder and dismemberment of 38-year-old Sarah Mayhew. Sansom also has a prior murder conviction from 1999.
This raises chilling questions about morality within the criminal world: Even murderers like Sansom see child killers as deserving of retribution.
The Ongoing Debate: Is Inmate Justice Ever Justified?
This case raises ethical and legal questions. Should convicted criminals—no matter how monstrous their crimes—be protected in prison? Or is prison violence a form of vigilante justice?
Some members of the public see the attack as poetic justice for a man who inflicted unbearable suffering on a defenseless child. Others argue that allowing violence behind bars sets a dangerous precedent.
What do you think?
Was the prison attack on Urfan Sharif justified?
Does “inmate justice” make our legal system more or less fair?
Should prisons do more to protect high-profile offenders from harm?
A Tragic Reminder: Justice Must Begin with Prevention
As we reflect on this deeply unsettling case, the focus should not only be on punishment but also on prevention. How did a child endure years of abuse without authorities intervening? What systems failed to protect Sara?
The story of Sara Sharif should serve as a wake-up call to parents, communities, and government agencies worldwide. Every child deserves to be safe, loved, and heard. And when that trust is broken, the consequences can be fatal.
