A nationwide manhunt that captivated the nation has finally seen justice served as Adeel Khan, a 32-year-old from Waltham Forest, east London, was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court of assisting Daniel Khalife's escape from HMP Wandsworth in September 2023.
As a colleague of Khalife's in the prison kitchen, Khan played a pivotal role in supplying him with money after his audacious escape. The court heard that within hours of Khalife breaking free, he contacted Khan multiple times using borrowed phones. Crucially, investigators discovered Khan's name, phone numbers, and social media details in a red diary found on Khalife at the time of his re-arrest.
Prosecution evidence revealed that shortly after Khalife escaped at 8:41 PM BST, Khan messaged his then-girlfriend with instructions to deposit £120 into an account belonging to Imran Chowdhury. The money was subsequently transferred and used by Chowdhury and Khalife in a pre-arranged meeting, where £400 was withdrawn.
In a separate verdict, the jury cleared Imran Chowdhury, 26, from Chingford, of the same charge. Defence arguments suggested that Chowdhury was unaware he was dealing with an escaped prisoner, portraying Khalife as cunning and deceptive.
Daniel Khalife's sentencing to 14 years and three months in prison for spying on behalf of Iran followed his re-arrest after a four-day nationwide search sparked by his daring escape from HMP Wandsworth. He had tied himself under the food delivery truck that carried him out, prompting an extensive manhunt across the UK.
Adeel Khan has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to be sentenced on 4 September 2026, bringing a measure of closure to one of the most significant prison breaks in recent British history.