Daniel Khalife, a terror suspect, has refuted claims of breaking out from Wandsworth prison. The 21-year-old former soldier is accused of escaping the Category B prison on the morning of September 6. Reportedly, he was working in the prison kitchen and disguised in a cook’s uniform when he used bedsheets to secure himself beneath a food truck for his escape.
Khalife, a former member of the Royal Signals stationed at Beacon Barracks in Stafford, was apprehended on September 9, putting an end to a 75-hour manhunt. He made an appearance at the Old Bailey through a video link from Category A Belmarsh prison, wearing a vivid yellow and blue sweater.
Khalife confirmed his ability to hear the court proceedings and verified his name and birthdate before entering a not guilty plea to a single count of escape. The charge indicates that on September 6, he “escaped” while being a prisoner at HMP Wandsworth, detained pending trial.
At the time of the alleged incident, he was on remand at HMP Wandsworth awaiting trial. He had been accused of placing fake bombs at a military base, a charge under the Terrorism Act, and another under the Official Secrets Act, accusing him of committing an act “prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state.”
Khalife was discharged from the army in May and previously denied the charges against him when he appeared at the Old Bailey via video link in July.