A former British soldier convicted of spying for Iran after an audacious three-day escape from a London prison was sentenced Monday to more than 14 years behind bars for betraying his country.

The judge sentencing the ex-soldier said he "took payment on two occasions and travelled to meet intelligence officers from Iran in Turkey".

Daniel Khalife, a former British soldier, was sentenced to 14 years and three months for attempting to spy for Iran. He claimed to be a double agent, intending to protect UK interests.

A British soldier was sentenced to more than 14 years in jail for collecting sensitive information for Iran and gathering the names of special forces personnel before briefly escaping from prison while awaiting trial.

A British soldier was sentenced to more than 14 years in jail on Monday (February 3) for collecting sensitive information for Iran and gathering the names of special forces personnel before briefly escaping from prison while awaiting trial.

Khalife, 23, gained global attention when he escaped from London's Wandsworth prison for three days while being held on espionage charges. View on euronews

London: A former British soldier who sparked a manhunt after escaping from prison before his trial was sentenced to 14 years for spying for Iran by a UK court on Monday. Daniel Khalife, 23, was found guilty of espionage and terrorism charges as well as for escaping prison last November.