Daniel Khalife, the terror suspect, firmly refuted allegations of escaping from Wandsworth prison. This 21-year-old former soldier reportedly broke free from the Category B prison on the morning of September 6th. It is reported that he was working in the prison kitchen, dressed in a cook’s uniform, when he ingeniously used bedsheets to secure himself beneath a food delivery truck for his escape.
After a 75-hour manhunt, Khalife, previously a member of the Royal Signals stationed at Beacon Barracks in Stafford, was apprehended on September 9th. He made an appearance at the Old Bailey via video link from the high-security Category A Belmarsh prison. During the proceedings, he sat at a desk wearing a vivid yellow and blue sweater. Khalife confirmed his identity and birthdate before entering a plea of not guilty to a single charge of escape.
This charge specifically alleges that on September 6th, while detained at HMP Wandsworth awaiting trial, he managed to escape from custody. At the time of this purported incident, Khalife was facing charges related to leaving fake bombs at a military base, a violation under the Terrorism Act, as well as another charge under the Official Secrets Act, accusing him of engaging in actions detrimental to the safety or interests of the state.
Khalife had been discharged from the army in May and had previously appeared at the Old Bailey via video link in July to deny these charges against him.
