Daniel Khalife was met with cheers and back-slapping from fellow inmates who congratulated him on his dramatic escape after he arrived at HMP Frankland, also known as ‘Monster Mansion’
A spy who escaped jail strapped under a food lorry has been moved to a high-security prison – where he was given a hero’s welcome by fellow cons.
Ex-soldier Daniel Khalife, 23 – who sparked a huge manhunt after fleeing Wandsworth Prison in September 2023 – has been switched to HMP Frankland, dubbed ‘Monster Mansion’ in County Durham. Khalife fled while awaiting trial for spying for Iran. He passed on sensitive information to the rogue nation, including the names of special forces soldiers. When he arrived at his new jail, he was met with cheers and back-slapping from fellow inmates who congratulated him on his dramatic escape.
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A source said: “Khalife was brought and got a hell of a reception when he arrived on his wing.. They were patting him on the back and treated him like a legend. It was a hero’s welcome. The other prisoners were cheering and clapping. They love him because of how he escaped.
“It made the prison authorities look stupid. So all these killers and armed robbers were treating him like a conquering hero. They ignored the fact he is a convicted spy and what he was doing for Iran and against British soldiers.”
The source said it was a rare occurrence. They added: “Some of the other inmates have been helping him out. It’s a massive contrast to how a lot of people are treated when they arrive at Frankland. But he is not popular with a Muslim gang on his wing, perhaps because he was in the Army.”
Ex-soldier Khalife was moved from scandal-hit Wandsworth Prison in south London to County Durham jail Frankland – home to fiends including lan Huntley, Levi Bellfield and ex-cop Wayne Couzens – earlier this month. “Morgue Monster” David Fuller is also an inmate.
He left prison chiefs red faced escaping from Wandsworth – hit by scandals including a cell romp which saw guard Linda de Sousa Abreu jailed – by tying himself to a catering lorry with kitchen.
The escape promoted a huge nationwide manhunt, with police forces from all over the country working on the mission to find him. While he was at large Khalife, of Kingston Upon Thames, south-west London bought a paper featuring his escape and is understood to have called his Iranian handler.
The former soldier, who joined the Royal Corps of Signals at 16, admitted deliberately escaping from jail at a trial last November. He was jailed for 14 years in February and was branded a “dangerous fool” by Woolwich Crown Court judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb.
Khalife was handed six years each for two spying charges and two years and three months for the jailbreak. His sentence is being reviewed for being too lenient.
Khalife’s trial heard he passed secrets to Iran, including a list of serving soldiers. His solicitor said his action were “more Scooby Doo than 007”.
Justice sources said he had been moved to Frankland as it was ultra-secure and inmates were categorised based on their risk to the public, staff and other lags.
The Prison Service said it would not comment on individuals.