Former soldier Daniel Khalife admits escaping from Wandsworth Prison part way through trial

11 November 2024, 10:43 | Updated: 11 November 2024, 11:52

Former soldier Daniel Khalife has pleaded guilty part way through his trial at Woolwich Crown Court to escaping from HMP Wandsworth
Former soldier Daniel Khalife has pleaded guilty part way through his trial at Woolwich Crown Court to escaping from HMP Wandsworth. Picture: Alamy

By Asher McShane

Former soldier Daniel Khalife has pleaded guilty partway through his trial to escaping from prison.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The 23-year-old escaped from HMP Wandsworth in south-west London in September 2023 by clinging to the underside of a food delivery truck using a sling made from kitchen trousers.

He continues to deny all the other charges against him.

Khalife escaped in the hope he would be kept in a high-security unit (HSU) at a different prison, away from "sex offenders" and "terrorists" after his recapture, he previously told his trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

Mrs Justice Bobbie Cheema-Grubb told jurors she had asked Khalife if he wanted the prison escape charge to be put to him again.

When the charge was put to the former soldier, he replied: "I'm guilty."

The court heard he planned a fake escape attempt for August 21 in the hope he would be moved to the HSU, but decided that a genuine escape was his only option after the incident was not reported to senior prison staff.

Khalife wanted to be kept in the HSU at HMP Belmarsh - a prison within a prison holding some of the country's most dangerous criminals - because he believed he would be safer there, the court heard.

Five days before his successful escape, he attached a sling to the underside of the lorry made from kitchen trousers and carabiners.

HMP Wandsworth
HMP Wandsworth. Picture: Alamy

Read More: CCTV footage shows ex-soldier Daniel Khalife change clothes in McDonald's after 'prison escape'

Read More: Ex-British soldier Daniel Khalife left 'dodgy' device at barracks in bomb hoax plot, court hears

The sling "wasn't spotted at Wandsworth gate or any other prison", Khalife said.

"When the tail lift raised it covered me entirely," he continued.

"If the makeshift sling wasn't noticed, they're hardly going to notice me."

While on the run, Khalife bought clothes from Marks & Spencer and a coffee from McDonald's, and walked beside the River Thames before being caught by police three days later.

"I accept that I left the prison and I didn't have any permission," he told jurors.

"I was never a real spy.

"I would do anything to go back to my career (in the Army)."

Khalife denies charges contrary to the Official Secrets Act and Terrorism Act, and is accused of perpetrating a bomb hoax.

The trial continues.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Many of the victims were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel

Laos hostel owner arrested after Brit lawyer becomes fifth tourist to die in 'poisoning'

Breaking
Breaking News

Sixth person dies in Laos ‘methanol mass poisoning’ as hostel owner detained by police

Exclusive
Feargal Sharkey tests the River Test with LBC

'We're destroying what should be the finest river on Earth': Feargal Sharkey tests the River Test with LBC

Household energy bills will rise again from January

Household energy bills to rise by £21 a year from January in further blow for Brits this winter

Putin issued a chilling threat to the West as he confirmed Russia launched a ballistic missile against Ukraine

'The world must respond': Zelenskyy warns that Putin is 'testing' the West after confirmed use of new ballistic missile

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Donald Trump nominates Pam Bondi for attorney general hours after Matt Gaetz withdraws

Starmer has backed the International Criminal Court over its arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Netanyahu faces arrest if he travels to Britain as Starmer vows to enforce International Criminal Court warrant

Yvette Cooper has branded the Rwanda scheme a "complete con."

Yvette Cooper to crack down on anti-social behaviour with new 'respect orders' as repeat offenders face jail time

King Charles III And Queen Camilla on Coronation Day

King Charles' coronation cost taxpayer £72 million, report reveals

Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City

Pep Guardiola signs two-year contract extension with Manchester City

Captain Tom's Daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore

Behaviour at Captain Tom charity left ex-boss 'gobsmacked'

Armed robbers attempted to break into the star's Sunderland home.

Masked machete-wielding robbers break into Charlotte Crosby's home while she is upstairs with two-year-old daughter

Police have released new CCTV of Harshita Brella and her husband

Chilling CCTV released of Harshita Brella and prime murder suspect husband on night she was killed

First photos of Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special as James Corden and Ruth Jones mark triumphant finale

First photos of Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special as James Corden and Ruth Jones mark show's triumphant finale

King Charles performs a Hongi, a traditional Maori greeting, with Mere Takoko

King Charles shares traditional Maori nose rub greeting with activist as he launches environmental charity

Putin issued a chilling threat to the West as he confirmed Russia launched a ballistic missile against Ukraine

Putin issues chilling warning to UK and US as he confirms Russia hit Ukraine with new 'experimental' ballistic missile