Gul Nawaz Hussain KC - who specialises in high-profile, complex, and serious criminal defence work - lead the defence team for Daniel Khalife during the headline making trial at Woolwich Crown Court. 

Daniel Khalife is the 23-year-old former British soldier accused of spying. He also came to further prominence when he escaped from HMP Wandsworth in September 2023. 

On Monday 3rd February 2025, Daniel Khalife was sentenced to 14 years. 

The Independent has quoted Mr Hussain's words in court:

"Defending, Gul Nawaz Hussain KC said Khalife’s actions were more “Scooby Doo” than “007”.

He told the judge: “What Daniel Khalife clearly chose to do was not born of malice, was not born of greed, religious fervour or ideological conviction.

“His intentions were neither sinister nor cynical.” Some of the documents he had forged to pass to the Iranians were “laughably fake”, Mr Hussain told the court.

“We say it was offending that was born of professional disappointment, a desire to demonstrate genuine utility and that led him to a grossly naive, rose-tinted view of patriotism,” Mr Hussain said."

Read coverage of the case here: 

Ex-British soldier Daniel Khalife sentenced to 14 years after spying for Iran | The Independent

Daniel Khalife jailed: Soldier turned Iran spy who broke out of prison sentenced to 13 years behind bars | The Standard

‘Dangerous fool’ who spied for Iran jailed by UK for 14 years

Prison escape: Former soldier Daniel Khalife jailed for 14 years and three months | UK News | Sky News