Daniel Khalife, a 23-year-old former British soldier accused of spying for Iran, has pleaded guilty to escaping from prison by hiding under a food catering truck. Khalife, from Kingston, southwest London, admitted to the charge of escaping from lawful custody while testifying in his trial at Woolwich Crown Court.
During the trial, Mrs Justice Cheema Grubb addressed the jury, explaining that Khalife had acknowledged being in lawful custody and intentionally escaping, leaving him with no lawful defence to the charge. The judge asked if Khalife wanted to change his plea on the escape charge, and Khalife replied, “I’m guilty.”
Khalife allegedly escaped from prison and remained on the run for four days before being recaptured. Dressed in a white shirt, chinos, a blue waistcoat, and white trainers, he admitted to the court that his escape was deliberate.
Khalife will face cross-examination regarding the spying charges, for which he maintains his plea of not guilty. This story is still developing, and further updates are expected as more details emerge.
