Steven Sansom, 47, and Adam Watson, 39, were brought before Judge Lynn Tayton KC from Wakefield jail and each denied the charge of attempted murder and the accompanying allegation of wounding Sharif with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
According to the prosecution, Sansom invited Sharif – who was convicted of killing his 10‑year‑old daughter – into a cell at HMP Belmarsh where Watson was waiting. Watson is said to have seized Sharif, punched him repeatedly and then handed a makeshift weapon to Sansom, who allegedly used it to make cutting motions to Sharif’s throat while also applying pressure to his neck.
Prison officers who entered the cell later found Sharif on the floor, bloodied and distressed, with injuries to his face, mouth and neck, a detail the court has previously heard.
Judge Tayton set a two‑week trial for 19 July 2026, ordered the two men to remain in custody, and scheduled a pre‑trial hearing for 21 June. Both defendants also denied unauthorised possession of two offensive items – a tin lid and a pen attached to a handle – found in the cell.
The case follows the December 2025 life‑sentence handed to Sharif’s stepmother, Beinash Batool of Woking, Surrey, for the prolonged abuse and torture that culminated in Sara Sharif’s murder.