Category: United Kingdom

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A policing operation will take place this weekend covering a march organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and a counter protest by Stop the Hate.

On Saturday, 30 November the PSC will hold their 21st protest since October 2023. The Met has engaged with the PSC to finalise a route and timings of the event and to help provide clarity to those taking part the Met has imposed conditions on the protest to minimise any disruption.

Each event requires substantial amount of planning in the context of various events and day-to-day business happening across the capital. There have been regular and significant numbers of protestors on the streets of London and this has had a cumulative impact on our communities. The Met’s goal is to protect the lawful right to protest while minimising the impact of these events on those who live, work and visit London.

Ahead of this weekend there has been significant negotiation and engagement with event organisers, as well as with those who will be impacted, including the Jewish community and local businesses.

This weekend is expected to be one of the busiest shopping weeks ahead of Christmas and this has to be taken into account to allow people intending to visit central London and businesses to operate without serious disruption.

Central London will be busier this weekend due to several planned events and protests. Those travelling to the surrounding area should plan their journeys and check before they travel. People attending the protest are advised to use Victoria and Bond Street station.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell, who is leading this weekend’s policing operation, said:

“Ahead of the weekend we have been in regular discussions with the PSC, counter protesters Stop the Hate, as well as faith and community groups – particularly the Jewish community who we know continue to be impacted by protests – residents, and businesses.

“We expect this weekend to be very busy with many people shopping during the Black Friday sales, and visiting the capital ahead of the festive period, including Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park which is nearby. We have worked with organisers to seek to minimise disruption and balance the right to protest.

“Officers will be highly visible along the protest route and wider area to ensure the events take place safely and will deal with any offences.”

The PSC march will form up on the southern end of Park Lane away from Marble Arch from 1130 hours before proceeding down Park Lane between 1245 hours and 1315 hours, finishing in Whitehall where an assembly with speeches will take place.

Following the march, anyone participating in the assembly for speeches must remain in a defined area on Whitehall. The assembly must conclude by 1630 or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the speeches, whichever is earlier.

Stop the Hate will hold a counter protest on Coventry Street, W1D on the route of the PSC procession. Replicating the approach to the PSC, we have engaged and agreed the location and conditions to their protest to minimise disruption to the public.

Additional officers will be on patrol in the area engaging with faith venues, businesses, residents and other venues along the route to help minimise disruption and respond to any concerns on the day.

Conditions

The Public Order Act gives the police the power to impose conditions on a procession or assembly of two or more people who are deemed to have a common purpose. 

Conditions can be imposed either in advance of an event or by the senior officer present during an event. 

On Saturday 30 November the following conditions will be in place relating to the PSC event:

Assembly – Section 14(3) Public Order Act 1986

The “Palestine Solidarity Campaign” assembly in preparation for the planned procession must be held within the designated area (the red shaded area on Map 1) on Park Lane (southbound) and assembly participants must remain within that area.

The assembly must not commence before 11.30 and participants must not attend the designated area before that time.

Any tables, tents, gazebos or similar structures erected in connection with the assembly must be located within the designated area.

The distribution of any leaflets or other material by assembly participants and organisers may only take place within the designated area.

Assembly participants must remain within the designated area until such time that the procession commences, which must be after 1245 hours and before 1315 hours, in accordance with the ‘Procession’ conditions imposed.

Procession – Section 12(3) Public Order Act 1986

The “Palestine Solidarity Campaign” procession must commence between 1245 hours and 1315 hours.

Procession participants forming up at Park Lane must commence proceeding along the prescribed route (Map 2) between 1245 hours and 1315 hours.

Procession participants must not deviate from the prescribed route specified on the attached map (Map 2).

Post-procession assembly – Section 14(3) Public Order Act 1986

Any person participating in the “Palestine Solidarity Campaign” post-procession assembly must remain within the designated area (the red shaded area on Map 3).

The assembly must conclude by 16.30 or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the speeches, whichever is earlier.

On Saturday 30 November the following conditions will be in place relating to the counter protest by Stop the Hate:

Section 14(3) Public Order Act 1986

Any persons participating in the Stop the Hate assembly must remain within the designated area (the red shaded area on Map 4)

Warning regarding expressing support for proscribed organisations

London is global city and with people joining events from across the country and around the world it is important to reiterate that expressing support for a proscribed organisation in the UK is a criminal offence.

Under the Terrorism Act 2000 (TACT), the Home Secretary may proscribe an organisation if they believe it is concerned in terrorism and it is proportionate to do so.

Proscription makes it a criminal offence to invite or express support for a proscribed organisation through chanting, wearing clothing or display articles such as flags, signs or logos.

Hamas and Hizballah are proscribed by the UK Government and expressing support for them is a criminal offence.

Hamas has been proscribed since 2021 – both political and military wings are proscribed under UK jurisdiction.

Hizballah has been proscribed since 2019.

You can read more about proscribed terrorist groups or organisations on the UK Government Website

It is a criminal offence to:

belong, or profess to belong, to a proscribed organisation in the UK or overseas (Section 11 TACT)

invite support for a proscribed organisation (Section 12(1A) TACT)

express an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation (Section 12(1A) TACT)

arrange, manage or assist in arranging or managing a meeting in the knowledge that the meeting is to support or further the activities of a proscribed organisation, or is to be addressed by a person who belongs or professes to (Section 12(2) TACT)

wear clothing or carry or display articles in public in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that the individual is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation (Section 13 TACT)

publish an image of an item of clothing or other article, such as a flag or logo, in the same circumstances (Section 13(1A) TACT)

Officers policing events will deal with any offences. If you have any concerns during an event speak to a police officer or event steward.

If you see material supporting terrorism online report it – visit www.gov.uk/ACT

You can also report suspicious activity by contacting the police in confidence on 0800 789 321

In an emergency, or if you need urgent police assistance, you should always dial 999.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Four men have been sentenced to a total of 76 years in prison for their part in the killing of a 43-year-old man in Hounslow.

Naython Muir was stabbed to death outside a house in Parkside Road, TW3 on Friday, 13 October last year.

Yesterday, after a painstaking investigation by Met detectives to bring the four men to justice, they were sentenced at the Old Bailey:

Mahdi Mumin, 24 (01.12.99) of Lever Street, Islington was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 24 years.

Khalfani Sinclair, 23 (04.08.01) of Maple Road, Hayes was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 22 years plus 16 months for possession of a bladed article to run concurrently.

Phillip Jones, 47 (18.08.76) of Cygnet Avenue, Feltham was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years.

Christian Braimah, 24 (12.03.00) of Elruge Close, West Drayton was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The men appeared at the Old Bailey for a trial on Monday, 2 September.

On Tuesday, 22 October, a jury unanimously found Mumin and Sinclair guilty of murder, while Jones was convicted of murder by a majority verdict.

Sinclair had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article, the Zombie knife used to kill Naython.

Braimah was found not guilty of murder but was convicted of manslaughter.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, the senior investigating officer who led the investigation, said:

“The sentencing of these four men is the result of a complex and challenging police investigation.

“Naython, who was known as ‘Nayff’ to his friends and family, was a caring father, son and brother who had his own struggles in life.

“He was being used as a pawn by a drugs line to exert their control of drugs supply within the Hounslow area.

“When Naython crossed paths with the defendants, he was ambushed and subjected to a sudden, unprovoked, violent and ultimately fatal assault using a Zombie type knife.

“I would like to thank the residents of Parkside Road in Hounslow who cared for Naython until the emergency services arrived.

“Their empathy towards Naython and then later his family demonstrated a small community coming together during a very traumatic time for everyone.”

In a joint statement, Naython’s family said:

“Naython was brutally murdered. There are no words to describe the pain and heartache we have felt since the day we were told our ‘Nayff’ had been stolen from our family.

“Our life was torn apart and it will never be the same again.

“Nayff was a caring, selfless person who would help anyone if they needed it; he wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

Naython’s mother said:

“Each week, I relive the moments of seeing Nayff on his knees crying, asking for help, saying he’d been stabbed. He didn’t want to die, he loved his family and wouldn’t want to leave his son.

“A young boy has been robbed of his dad being with him for each of life’s milestones. To watch the defendants have no remorse, no respect, no empathy or emotion to what they have done was beyond belief.

“Never will they be forgiven for taking Naython away from us.”

As part of A New Met for London, tackling knife crime and violence is a top priority for the police. We have a duty to prevent crime and violence by providing diversions to those who need it most, and we will continue using every tactic available to prevent people getting hurt and aiming to bringing justice to those that are.

You can visit Fearless for advice, discover real stories about people who turned their lives around after being involved in knife crime as well as places you can go for further help and support.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been charged following a double shooting that took place on Sunday, 24 November in Kensington.

Jazz Reid, 32 (01.06.92) of Kensington, was charged with two counts of attempted murder and possession of a firearm and ammunition. He will appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 29 November.

The shooting in Southern Row, W10 at around 17:30hrs on 24 November left a 34-year-old man and an eight-year-old girl suffering injuries.

Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command lead the investigation and continue to ask anyone with information that may assist to come forward.

Alternatively, if you can help, please call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD reference 5238/24NOV24. You can also provide information by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A sixth person has been charged in connection with the murder of Jesse Lloyd-Smith in Peckham.

The 19-year-old [F] was charged on Thursday, 28 November and will appear at Willesden Magistrates’ court on Friday, 29 November.

A 17-year-old boy [A] was charged with murder on Friday, 2 August, while four other people have been charged with perverting the course of justice.

Jesse Lloyd-Smith, 20, was shot in East Surrey Grove, SE15 shortly before 17:00hrs on Wednesday, 10 July. Emergency services rushed to the scene and Jesse was taken to hospital – however, despite the best efforts of medical staff, he tragically died the following day.

Detectives are continuing to appeal for the public’s help and want to hear from anyone, who may have any further information.

Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, whose team is leading the investigation, said: “Our team remains resolute in securing justice and we need the public’s help to do so.

“I am grateful to all those who have come forward so far but would ask anyone with information – no matter how insignificant you think it might be – to get in contact as this could prove to be crucial.

“We believe that the answers to this shooting remain within the community in Peckham and whilst I appreciate it may be difficult, now is the time to do the right thing.

“Anyone who doesn’t want to speak directly can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously.”

Jesse’s sister Chaise and Godmother Sam, said: “It’s been over four months without Jesse and we believe that there are still people living within this community who are sitting on the truth.

“Now is the time to come forward.

“Our family has continued to grieve Jesse and we are appealing for your help to give us answers.

“Please, if you know anything or remember anything from the evening of 10 July, no matter how small the information may seem, contact the police or Crimestoppers.

Information can be provided via an online portal here: Public Portal (mipp.police.uk

Alternatively, if you would prefer to speak to a police officer regarding this incident, please call 020 7175 2206. Alternatively, anyone who has information or footage can call 101 or post on X @MetCC quoting CAD 6886/10Jul.

To remain 100 per cent anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit Crimestoppers-uk.org.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A 16-year-old girl has been charged with the murder of a man in King’s Cross.

The teenager, from Brixton, will appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court later today charged with the murder of 51-year-old Anthony Marks, who died after being assaulted on Cromer Street on Saturday, 10 August.

A 17-year-old boy has previously been charged and remanded in custody to face trial next year.

Officers remain keen to hear from any witnesses who have not yet spoken to them, as well as any of Anthony’s next of kin, who so far remain unidentified.

Anyone with information should contact the incident room direct on 0208 358 0300, dial 101 or post on X @MetCC quoting CAD 1428/10AUG24.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

An investigation by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command into suspected activity linked to the proscribed terrorist group the PKK continues and seven people arrested remain in custody as the investigation continues.

Acting Commander Helen Flanagan, from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Our enquiries remain ongoing and we continue to investigate what are very serious allegations.

“I can assure the public that this investigation, as is always the case, is being conducted with complete operational independence and officers are working as quickly and diligently as possible.

“We anticipate that some of our search activity will continue for several days, and we know this is causing disruption and inconvenience to parts of the local community, but I can assure them that we will be looking to return the venues as soon as we possibly can.

“I would also repeat my request to ask the public not to speculate or share unverified information in respect of this investigation. As I’ve said before, these arrests have been targeted at specific individuals suspected of being linked to terrorist activity. I want to reassure the community that our activity is being carried out to keep everyone safe from potential harm.”

On Wednesday, 27 November, seven people [A-G] were arrested at locations across London:

[A] a 59-year-old woman,
[B] a 27-year-old man,
[C] a 31-year-old woman,
[D] a 62-year-old man,
[E] a 56-year-old man,
[F] a 23-year-old man, and
[G] a 31-year-old man

They were all detained under section 41(1) of the Terrorism Act, 2000, and they all remain in police custody at this time. A warrant of further detention for all seven was sought and obtained from Westminster Magistrates’ Court today, Thursday, 28 November, meaning they can be detained in police custody until Friday, 29 November.

Following the arrests, searches were carried out in eight locations across London. Three of the searches are now complete. Five searches remain ongoing.

Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines, who leads local policing for the Haringey area, said: “We are very aware of the impact that this action has on our communities – particularly the Kurdish community in the area. I’m continuing to meet with Kurdish community members and I am grateful for their support and understanding during what we know is a very difficult time for them. I would urge anyone with concerns to get in touch with me or my local officers so that we can continue to work with our residents and communities and keep them safe.”

There continues to be an increased police presence in the affected areas in Haringey and local neighbourhoods officers are carrying out additional patrols and engaging with residents to address any concerns.

Local officers are also continuing to hold meetings with community leaders, the local authority and local resident and community groups to keep them updated and informed about the progress of this investigation.

Anyone with information relating to the investigation or potential terrorist activity can contact police in confidence on 0800 789 321or via www.gov.uk/ACT

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Four men have been jailed for handling more than 5,000 stolen phones, and two of the group have been convicted for spending thousands of pounds from their victims’ bank accounts, after they were caught following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

Over an 18-month period the group handled phones that had been stolen from across London and two of the men made purchases or took out loans using the devices, with the cost of their crimes totalling £5.1 million. Officers believe many of the devices were then sold abroad.

Some victims had thousands of pounds transferred out of their account, others had payments come out for designer clothes worth hundreds.

Sentenced today were:

– Zakaria Senadjki, 31 (03.04.93) of Dartmouth Close, Notting Hill was convicted of conspiracy to receive stolen goods, conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and possessing/controlling ID with improper intention. He was sentenced to eight years.

– Ahmed Abdelhakim Belhanafi, 25 (18.12.98) of Dartmouth Close, Notting Hill was convicted of conspiracy to receive stolen goods and conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, and was sentenced to four years and eight months.

– Nazih Cheraitia, 34 (02.04.90) of Wales Farm Road, Acton was convicted of conspiracy to receive stolen goods and possess/control ID document with improper intention. He was sentenced to three years and five months.

-Riyadh Mamouni, 25 (06.01.99) of Dartmouth Close, Notting Hill was convicted of conspiracy to receive stolen goods and sentenced to two years and eight months.

The group were tracked down by local officers from Lambeth and Southwark after multiple victims of theft and robbery reported they had tracked their stolen devices to two main London addresses.

Extensive work was then completed by officers to identify those involved, including investigating two blocks of flats to identify the suspects. The Met’s Operation Ringtone uses tracking devices in phones to be able to locate stolen items. Following the successful investigation by local officers, warrants took place in the early hours of 26 February.

Commander Owain Richards, from the Metropolitan Police, said: “I want to commend the borough based local officers involved for their excellent work in tracking down these individuals and ensuring they were brought to justice.

“We do not underestimate the impact these crimes have on Londoners and are doing all we can to tackle phone thefts. This includes increased policing in hotspot areas and making better use of technology.

“However we need the phone companies to play their part and make it more difficult for criminals to re-sell these stolen devices. The Met will be speaking with them in the coming weeks to push this issue even further.”

During their search, officers found 170 phones believed to have been stolen and they calculate thousands more were victims to the group.

However, officers have not been able to track down the owners of all the phones seized as not all were reported as stolen or their correct IMEI number had not been provided so the phones could not be identified.

Today, the Met is urging anyone who has had a lost or stolen phone to use the national mobile phone register so recovered phones can be restored.

Phone users should take simple steps to further protect themselves from fraud, by ensuring they have a strong password, two-factor authentication and turn off message previews so thieves cannot see any messages about reset or log in codes when phones are locked and ensuring they have written down and safely stored their IMEI number.

Last year, more than 64,000 mobile phones were reported to the police as stolen in London, through theft or robbery – double the previous two years.

As part of the New Met for London the Met is taking action to clamp down on phone thieves, with proactive and neighbourhood policing teams increasing patrols, including in plain clothes and working with local businesses to share information and bring perpetrators to justice.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man who raped and sexually assaulted a young girl for almost a decade in the 1980s and 1990s has been jailed thanks to a comprehensive investigation by Met detectives.

Adrian Morbey, 72 (26.09.52), of Ashbourne Road, Romford, was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Wednesday, 27 November to a total of 15 years’ imprisonment, with an extended licence of one year. He will also be on the sex offenders’ register for life.

He was found guilty at the same court on Wednesday, 21 August of four counts of indecent assault on a child, two counts of indecency with a child and one count of raping a child aged under 16.

The offences took place between 1989 and 1996 when the victim was aged between seven and 15.

The court heard that in 1989 Morbey started to intercept the victim, then aged just seven, when she was on her way home from school and would take her to various locations. The offending began as sexual assault and progressed to rape. Morbey would also shower her with over-the-top gifts and money.

The victim’s mother approached police in 2018 and told them she believed her daughter had been sexually assaulted by Morbey. As a result, officers contacted the victim and asked her if she wanted to disclose any offences, she then revealed she had been sexually assaulted and raped by Morbey.

In December 2018, Morbey was interviewed under caution by detectives. When the allegations were put to him that he would intercept the victim from school and drive her to locations to sexually assault and later rape her, he replied: “Nah, not a chance.”

He later added that ‘I never behaved inappropriately with her at all’ and addressing the allegations, said ‘I’m gobsmacked. I’m completely floored.’

Detectives then worked tirelessly to prepare a file for the Crown Prosecution Service to secure charges, which included ensuring the victim’s statement was as detailed as possible as this was the pinnacle piece of evidence.

The victim was supported by specialist officers and she provided two detailed video recorded interviews where she thoroughly recalled the sexual abuse she was subjected to by Morbey.

Detectives also took statements from people close to the victim, who were able to detail what the victim had told them about the abuse she suffered at the hands of Morbey, providing additional evidence.

Detective Sergeant Charlie Yexley, from the East Area’s Public Protection team, said: “I would like to commend the victim for her bravery in reporting Morbey to us, and for having to re-live her horrific ordeal while providing two extremely detailed video recorded interviews to help ensure Morbey was brought to justice for his heinous crimes. The victim had understandably blocked out a lot of what Morbey had done to her and so it was extremely painful for her to talk about this nightmare in such detail. I hope him being behind bars gives her a little bit of closure.

“I would also like to commend the officer in the case DC Jessica Stephens for working so tirelessly to secure justice for the victim. Sexual assault and rape cases are never simple to investigate, never mind ones dating back over 30 years. However, this did not deter DC Stephens who was determined to see Morbey get his day in court – where the jury convicted him due to the overwhelming evidence presented.

“I hope this case highlights that the Met is committed to tackling violence against women and girls and we will thoroughly investigate all allegations of sexual assault, no matter how long ago they happened.”

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Phone manufacturers are being urged by the Metropolitan Police to fix security issues fuelling thefts in the capital.

It comes as new analysis published by the Met found thousands of phones stolen on the streets of London are being shipped abroad.

New data* obtained by the Met shows that:

• Of a sample of more than 4,000 iPhones stolen last year, the details of which the Met passed to Apple, 70 per cent had an activation lock enabled and 84 per cent subsequently connected to Apple’s network.
• 80 per cent of these were reconnected overseas, with the highest proportion in Algeria followed by China and as far afield as Nigeria, Russia and Brazil.

The Met is working hard to tackle phone theft and is calling on Apple and Google to block devices reported by users to them as lost or stolen from re-connecting internationally to their cloud services, preventing re-use anywhere in the world and therefore deter thieves.

It also wants manufacturers to make the IMEI number of a device visible when the device is locked to make it easier to identify stolen devices and return them to their owner.

Commander Owain Richards, from the Metropolitan Police, said: “We are determined to tackle the scourge of phone thefts. We are increasing patrols in hotspot areas and using technology to identify perpetrators and will do all we can to bring them to justice.

“However, this new data shows that thousands of phones stolen in London are being used abroad, highlighting a clear flaw that is allowing organised crime to make millions from thefts in the capital. That is why we need industry to step up and play its part by increasing security on these devices.”

As shoppers flock to London for Black Friday sales, the Met is sharing advice to phone users on what they can do to protect themselves from theft.

People should keep a close eye on their belongings when in busy areas, keep phones in a zipped pocket, and take simple steps to protect themselves from further fraud if their device is stolen:

• Activate device security features including ‘Find My Phone’ and stolen device protection in ‘settings’
• Ensure they have a strong password and two-factor authentication
• Turn off message previews so thieves cannot see any messages about reset or log in codes when phones are locked
• Write down and safely store their phone’s IMEI number. This can be found by dialling *#06# from an unlocked device.
• If your phone is lost or stolen notify Apple or Google via their device finding services.

The Met is also reminding victims they should report their phone as stolen as soon as possible to maximise the chance of catching the perpetrator, too often thefts are reported hours or days later.

In the coming weeks officers from the Met will meet with leaders from the phone industry to renew their call for them to step up their efforts to tackle thefts.

*Analysis by the Met of 4,177 stolen Apple handsets showing post-offence activity. This is the Met’s own analysis following thefts reported to the service. The Met is working with Apple to better understand the data.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A former soldier who sparked a nationwide manhunt after escaping from prison has been convicted of spying offences. The conviction follows an investigation by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command which found he had been sharing sensitive military information with Iranian agents.

Daniel Khalife, 23 (27.09.01) was today, 28 November found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court of espionage and terrorism offences.

Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command said: “The threat to the UK from states such as Iran is very serious, so for a soldier in the Army to be sharing sensitive military material and information with them is extremely reckless and dangerous.

“Khalife claimed that he wanted to help the UK’s security by becoming a so-called ‘double-agent’ but the reality we uncovered is that he simply put UK security at great risk by what he was doing.

“Then, when he was in prison awaiting trial, he escaped and went on the run. But thanks to some brilliant police work – here in the Met, but also across the country – coupled with the fantastic support of the public, we were able to find and arrest him to make sure he faced justice.

“I’d like to praise all those who worked on this investigation – those who looked into Khalife’s activity in sharing information with the Iranians, but also the many colleagues from agencies and police forces who assisted us when he was at large.

“I hope this serves as a warning that the illegal sharing of information in this way will be treated extremely seriously by security services and police and we will use the full force of the law against those who put the UK’s security at risk.”

An investigation into Khalife began in November 2021 after he anonymously contacted MI5 twice that month to say that he had established contact with Iranian agents and wanted to become a ‘double agent’. The details, however, were passed to police and they identified that Khalife was the person behind the calls and that he was a soldier in the Army based at Staffordshire Barracks.

Khalife was arrested in January 2022, and police seized various devices and documents from his room. The ensuing investigation found Khalife was in possession of various sensitive documents and information – including details of soldiers who were attached to highly sensitive military units. They also found evidence that Khalife had made contact with Iranian agents and had passed sensitive military information to them over the preceding two-and-a-half years.

Khalife was due to be charged with offences in January 2023, however he was reported as missing by his Army unit in early January 2023. When his room was searched, what appeared to be a potential improvised explosive device was found, along with a note, indicating that Khalife had left as he feared he was going to be charged when he returned on bail. On 26 January 2023, Khalife was spotted at a Leisure Centre in Staffordshire and was subsequently arrested and charged.

In September 2023, while awaiting trial, Khalife escaped from HMP Wandsworth. Police were informed and following a three-day manhunt – which involved hundreds of officers from across the Metropolitan Police, as well as support from police forces across the country and colleagues from various other agencies including those at ports and borders – Khalife was found and arrested in Northolt.

When he was giving evidence during his trial at Woolwich Crown Court, on 11 November, Khalife pleaded guilty to escaping from HMP Wandsworth.

On 28 November, he was found guilty of passing on information to Iran, contrary to section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1911. He was also found guilty of eliciting or attempted to elicit information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, contrary to section 58A of the Terrorism Act 2000

Khalife was found not guilty by the jury of creating a bomb hoax at the Army barracks in Staffordshire.

He will be sentenced at the same court on 12 December.