Former soldier Daniel Khalife, 23, is on trial for escaping from HMP Wandsworth in September 2023 and facing additional charges related to the Official Secrets Act and a potential terrorism hoax. During his trial at Woolwich Crown Court, Khalife has provided insights into his daring prison break and subsequent days on the run.
Khalife escaped from the prison by clinging to the underside of a food delivery truck using a makeshift sling. He has pleaded guilty to the prison escape but denies other charges against him. During his testimony, he claimed his primary motivation for escaping was to avoid potential harm from “sex offenders” and “terrorists” in the prison.
While on the run for three days, Khalife engaged in several activities that drew attention. He sent a deleted Telegram message to an Iranian contact, which prosecutors suggest indicates he was seeking assistance from Iranian security services. However, Khalife denied this, stating he was merely curious about their potential reaction and quickly “closed the conversation” when they expressed willingness to help.
During his time evading capture, Khalife demonstrated a level of resourcefulness. He purchased a mobile phone for £89 in Hammersmith, bought clothes from Marks & Spencer, and even bought a coffee from McDonald’s. He stole a hat from a Mountain Warehouse store and began using a bicycle he found.
When questioned about why he did not immediately surrender to authorities, Khalife stated he wanted to last “at least 48 hours” on the run. He was ultimately captured by police while riding a bicycle on a canal towpath in west London.
Khalife explained that he was attempting to move out of central London due to the prevalence of surveillance cameras. He also revealed that he took a change of clothes and a notebook during his escape to “exude a sense of professionalism” and demonstrate his capabilities.
The prosecution alleges that Khalife was waiting in the Chiswick area of west London for potential assistance from Iranian security services, though no help materialized. Khalife consistently denied seeking such assistance.
Throughout his testimony, Khalife maintained that he had no intention of leaving the UK and was simply trying to navigate his circumstances. His actions during the escape and subsequent days on the run have been scrutinized by the court.
The trial is ongoing, with Khalife facing multiple charges including prison escape, potential violations of the Official Secrets Act, and a terrorism-related hoax. The outcome will determine the legal consequences of his actions.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the audacity of Khalife’s prison escape and the complex circumstances surrounding his time on the run.
