Former soldier Daniel Khalife has gloated about escaping from HMP Wandsworth.
The 23-year-old, who is on trial at Woolwich Crown Court, is facing charges under the Official Secrets Act and Terrorism Act.
He explained that he fled to avoid being held with sex offenders and terrorists.
Khalife claimed his escape demonstrated his “skillset” and was intended to show keeping someone with his abilities in prison was a “foolish idea”.
Daniel Khalife details how he escaped HMP Wandsworth as he gloats it was ‘foolish idea’ imprison someone of his ‘skillset’
MET OFFICE
“I was finally demonstrating what a foolish idea it was to have someone of my skillset in prison. What use was that to anyone?” Khalife told the jury.
The ex-soldier, who joined the British Army at 16, insisted he had no intention of fleeing the country or evading the charges against him.
Detailing his escape, Khalife revealed that he fashioned a makeshift sling from kitchen trousers and carabiners.
On September 1 last year, Khalife tested the security by attaching the sling to a Bidfood lorry.
Daniel Khalife at Woolwich Crown Court
PA
He was surprised when it went unnoticed at HMP Wandsworth and other prisons on the delivery route.
Just a few days later, Khalife concealed himself beneath the lorry, using the sling to support his back.
Despite searches with torches and a governor’s inspection, the 23-year-old remained undetected.
Detailing his escape, Khalife revealed that he fashioned a makeshift sling from kitchen trousers and carabiners.
On September 1 last year, Khalife tested the security by attaching the sling to a Bidfood lorry.
He was surprised when it went unnoticed at HMP Wandsworth and other prisons on the delivery route.
An image of Khalife’s makeshift escape item
PA
Just a few days later, Khalife concealed himself beneath the lorry, using the sling to support his back.
Despite searches with torches and a governor’s inspection, the 23-year-old remained undetected.
“They did normal checks around with torches but they didn’t find me,” Khalife told the court.
After the lorry stopped, Khalife said he “came out underneath the lorry and stayed in the prone position” until it moved off.
And after being accused of being an Iranian spy, Khalife claimed he was a patriot who wanted to help his country.
He told the jury, “I didn’t do anything that harmed our national security. I wanted to put myself in a position where I could help my country.”
However, the former soldier said he was inspired by the American television show Homeland, which he watched on Netflix.
“They did normal checks around with torches but they didn’t find me,” Khalife told the court.
After the lorry stopped, Khalife said he “came out underneath the lorry and stayed in the prone position” until it moved off.
After being accused of being an Iranian spy, Khalife claimed he was a patriot who wanted to help his country.
He told the jury, “I didn’t do anything that harmed our national security. I wanted to put myself in a position where I could help my country.”
However, the former soldier said he was inspired by the American television show Homeland, which he watched on Netflix.
He said: “I had seen one of the characters in the programme had actually falsely defected to a particular country and utilised that position to further the national security interests of that character’s country.”
Khalife stated he initiated contact with Iranian intelligence officers after being told he could not pass developed vetting due to his mother’s Iranian birth.
He told MI5 he wanted to be a “double agent” and thought he would be “congratulated”.
“I do love my country. All I wanted to do was help. I never wanted to do any harm, I never did do any harm,” Khalife insisted.
Khalife was arrested three days after his escape on the footpath of the Grand Union Canal in Northolt, West London.
He said: “I had seen one of the characters in the programme had actually falsely defected to a particular country and utilised that position to further the national security interests of that character’s country.”
Khalife stated he initiated contact with Iranian intelligence officers after being told he could not pass developed vetting due to his mother’s Iranian birth.
He told MI5 he wanted to be a “double agent” and thought he would be “congratulated”.
“I do love my country. All I wanted to do was help. I never wanted to do any harm, I never did do any harm,” Khalife insisted.
Khalife was arrested three days after his escape on the footpath of the Grand Union Canal in Northolt, West London.
When asked why he did not turn himself in, Khalife reiterated his point about demonstrating his abilities, staying: “I accept that I left the prison and didn’t have any permission to do so. I accept absolutely that I shouldn’t have done what I did.”
However, Khalife also expressed regret over the situation, telling the court, “It is tragic it has come to this and I would do anything to go back to my career.”
The former soldier claimed that his imprisonment was not in “the public interest” and suggested that the police were “blinded at the prospect of a successful prosecution”.
Daniel Khalife, from Kingston in South West London, denies a charge under the Official Secrets Act.
Khalife has also pleaded not guilty to a charge under the Terrorism Act of eliciting information about Armed Forces personnel on August 2, 2021.
Additionally, he denies perpetrating a bomb hoax on or before January 2, 2023.
The former soldier also faces a charge of escaping from prison which he acknowledges occurred but maintains was not intended to evade justice.
