Two prison inmates have denied attempting to murder Urfan Sharif, the man serving a life sentence for the murder of his 10-year-old daughter, Sara Sharif.

Steven Sansom, 47, and Adam Watson, 39, appeared at the Old Bailey via separate video links from Wakefield prison to enter their pleas, according to reports from the BBC, The Independent, and GB News.

Both men pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. They also denied the unauthorised possession of two offensive weapons inside a prison, relating to a tin lid and a pen attached to a handle.

The charges follow an alleged attack at HMP Belmarsh on New Year's Day 2025. The prosecution alleges that Sansom lured Sharif into a cell where Watson was waiting. Watson is said to have restrained Sharif and repeatedly punched him, after which Sansom applied pressure to his throat before using an object passed by Watson to make cutting motions across Sharif's neck.

Prison officers entering the cell discovered Sharif bloodied and distressed on the floor, having suffered injuries to his face, mouth, and neck.

Sharif is currently serving a minimum term of 40 years after being convicted alongside Sara's stepmother, Beinash Batool, who received a 33-year minimum tariff in December for the 10-year-old's murder following years of abuse. The pair, along with Sharif's brother Faisal Malik, fled to Pakistan on 9 August 2023, the day after Sara died, before being arrested upon their voluntary return at Gatwick Airport on 13 September.

Judge Lynn Tayton KC remanded both Sansom and Watson in custody. A pre-trial hearing has been fixed for 21 June, with a two-week trial scheduled to begin on 19 July next year.

I will be keeping track of the proceedings as the case moves towards trial next summer.