Iran spy Daniel Khalife who fled jail while clinging to bottom of van to have sentence reviewed for being too soft

Iran spy Daniel Khalife who fled jail while clinging to bottom of van to have sentence reviewed for being too soft
Share:
Iran spy Daniel Khalife who fled jail while clinging to bottom of van to have sentence reviewed for being too soft
Author: Julia Atherley
Published: Feb, 22 2025 16:57

A SPY who escaped jail by clinging to the underside of a food delivery truck will have his sentence reviewed for being too soft, The Sun can reveal. Ex-soldier Daniel Khalife was jailed for more than 14 years at the start of the month after he was found to have passed secrets to Iran.

 [Mugshot of Daniel Khalife.]
Image Credit: The Sun [Mugshot of Daniel Khalife.]

His case has now been referred to the Attorney General Lord Hermer who could send it to the Court of Appeal for reconsideration if he deems the sentence to be unduly lenient. Law officers now have 28 days to decide if the term handed to him was tough enough.

 [Screengrab of Daniel Khalife's arrest.]
Image Credit: The Sun [Screengrab of Daniel Khalife's arrest.]

An AGO Spokesperson said: “We have received a request for this sentence to be considered under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme. "The Law Officers have 28 days from sentencing to consider the case and make a decision.”. There is a high threshold to increase the sentence, with the judge either needing to have made an error when sentencing or have imposed a term outside of the range.

 [Handout photo of Daniel Khalife in custody.]
Image Credit: The Sun [Handout photo of Daniel Khalife in custody.]

Khalife had launched a "hare-brained" scheme to become a British double agent, it emerged. After being paid thousands of pounds to reveal details - including a list of serving soldiers - he told MI6 and MI5 he was working for Iranian agents in the apparent hope he would be turned back against Tehran to fulfil his fantasy.

 [Photo of Daniel Khalife.]
Image Credit: The Sun [Photo of Daniel Khalife.]

His solicitor described his actions as more "Scooby Doo" than "007". Spooks initially ignored him before passing concerns to cops, who nicked Khalife. He later escaped jail while on remand by fixing a home-made sling to the truck and was nabbed three days later.

 [CCTV footage of a Bidfood truck leaving Wandsworth Prison.]
Image Credit: The Sun [CCTV footage of a Bidfood truck leaving Wandsworth Prison.]

Khalife, 23, of Kingston, South West London, got six years each for two spying charges plus two years and three months for the jailbreak, to be served consecutively. Judge Mrs Justice Cheema- Grubb called him a "dangerous fool" at his sentencing at Woolwich crown court on February 3.

 [CCTV image of Daniel Khalife in a McDonald's.]
Image Credit: The Sun [CCTV image of Daniel Khalife in a McDonald's.]

She told him: "The oath you took bound you to comply with the Official Secrets Act and compelled you to put the interests of the UK first. “What a shame, then, you spent more than two years in contact with agents of Iran, a country whose interests do not align with — and at times threaten — those of the UK.

"Deterring others from similar behaviour must be the primary aim of sentencing in this case.”. Referring to his attempt to work as a double agent, she said: “The mere fact that you started on this dangerous and fantastical plan demonstrates your immaturity and lack of wisdom.”.

Share:

More for You

Top Followed