Daniel Khalife, who is on trial at Woolwich Crown Court for collecting sensitive military information for Iran and escaping from Wandsworth Prison on 6 September 2023, was allowed to escape on a food delivery truck, according to the court. The truck was let out of the main gate, despite security personnel knowing that an inmate was missing. Balazs Werner, the driver of the truck, said he was surprised that he was allowed to leave. The jury also heard how a fake bomb was found in Khalife’s room in 2023, after he fled the barracks.
Mr Werner said security guards checked his vehicle with a torch and a mirror before he was allowed to leave after making his delivery. Khalife, who denies all charges, escaped while on remand and was arrested three days after fleeing Wandsworth Prison. A witness driving behind the truck saw a man in a white T-shirt and “pale pink gloves” roll out from underneath the vehicle.
Jurors also heard that Khalife was accused of fleeing Beacon Barracks. He left a note saying: “You can say with certainty that you will go to prison for a very long time. Your options are suicide or absconding.” A fake bomb made up of three metal canisters taped together was found on his desk.
Prosecutor Mark Heywood KC previously told the jury that Khalife “quite deliberately escaped” after being escorted to the prison kitchen where he had a job. Khalife is also accused of perpetrating a bomb hoax along with offences under the Official Secrets Act and the Terrorism Act, that he denies. The court heard that Khalife had visited a Mountain Warehouse store before his escape.
The trial continues
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