Daniel Khalife, a former soldier, received a 14-year sentence for spying for Iran and escaping from prison while awaiting trial
Staffordshire: A former soldier named Daniel Khalife has been sentenced to 14 years and three months in prison. He was found guilty of spying for Iran and escaping from prison.
Khalife, 23, was in the British Army when he collected sensitive information. He sold this information to Iranian agents for money, putting military personnel at risk.
During his trial, Khalife claimed he wanted to be a double agent. However, prosecutors showed he was just playing a dangerous game.
In September 2023, while waiting for his trial, Khalife escaped from HMP Wandsworth. He hid under a food delivery truck to get out. A nationwide manhunt followed, and he was caught days later on a canal towpath.
At Woolwich Crown Court, jurors found him guilty of breaching the Official Secrets Act and the Terrorism Act. He admitted to escaping from prison but was cleared of a bomb hoax charge.
On February 3, he was sentenced and ordered to pay £10,000 in court costs. The judge called him a “dangerous fool” for his actions.
Justice Cheema-Grubb expressed disappointment that Khalife had spent two years in contact with Iranian agents after joining the army. She noted he had the potential to be a great soldier.
