"an attack was probably only a matter of time."
Police are investigating reports that the father of murdered schoolgirl Sara Sharif had his throat cut in a prison attack by fellow inmates.
According to The Sun, Urfan Sharif was attacked in Belmarsh prison, South London, with a jagged tuna tin lid.
The attack is said to have happened on New Year’s Day and caused injuries to Sharif’s neck and face that are understood to have been treated in prison.
It was reported that the inmates were sickened by Sharif’s prolonged abuse of his 10-year-old daughter.
A source said: “Urfan was sliced up badly in his cell by two others who rushed in.
“It was planned and they used a makeshift weapon — made from the lid of a tin of tuna.
“He was sliced in the neck and face and is still in healthcare and in a very bad way.
“He was lucky to survive, has had to have stitches and will have scars as a permanent reminder of the attack.
“The guards tried to keep him safe because he obviously had a target on his back after the case was such big news.
“Something like this was always on the cards, and an attack was probably only a matter of time.
“Sharif has tried to keep his head down since coming into the jail, but word quickly got round about who he was.
“Inmates were not happy he is in there with them and, although the other prisoners are in for heinous crimes, a lot of them don’t like people who attack children.
“A lot of them are saying how it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving guy.”
The reported incident happened just weeks into Sharif’s minimum 40-year sentence.
Sharif was sentenced to life imprisonment, along with Sara’s stepmother Beinash Batool. The pair were found guilty of murder.
Sara’s uncle Faisal Malik, who was living with the family at the time, was found not guilty of murder but was convicted of causing or allowing her death.
Sara Sharif was found dead in a bunkbed at the family home on August 10, 2023. The couple had killed her two days earlier and fled to Pakistan.
The girl suffered 71 external injuries, including bruises, burns and human bite marks. She also had at least 25 fractures, including 11 to her spine.
The Metropolitan Police are investigating an assault allegation at Belmarsh.
A spokesperson said:
“Police are investigating an allegation that a prisoner was assaulted at HMP Belmarsh on 1 January.”
“The victim, a 43-year-old man, suffered non-life threatening injuries.”
As a category A prison, Belmarsh houses high numbers of murderers and terrorists.
A prison service spokesperson said: “Police are investigating an assault on a prisoner at HMP Belmarsh on 1 January.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further while they investigate.”
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