A British ex-soldier pleads not guilty to escaping from a London prison
A former soldier who allegedly snuck out of a London prison by strapping himself under a food delivery truck has pleaded not guilty to escaping custody
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
A former soldier who allegedly snuck out of a London prison by strapping himself under a food delivery truck has pleaded not guilty to escaping custody.
Daniel Khalife, 21, appeared at London's Central Criminal Court on Thursday by video link from the high-security Belmarsh Prison to deny the charge.
Prosecutors say Khalife, who was awaiting trial on terrorism charges in southwest London's Wandsworth Prison, escaped on Sept. 6 by using bedsheets to tie himself to the underside of a catering truck.
That prompted helicopter searches in London and extra security checks at major transport hubs, particularly in and around the Port of Dover, the main boat crossing from England to France.
Khalife was arrested on a canal towpath in west London on Sept. 9 after a four-day manhunt. Authorities said he was riding a bicycle when a plain-clothes counter-terrorism officer nabbed him.
Khalife had been in custody pending trial on charges of violating Britain’s Official Secrets Act by gathering information “that could be useful to an enemy” and planting fake bombs at a military base. He was discharged from the British army after his arrest earlier this year.
He denied the allegations.
Khalife will face trial in November at Woolwich Crown Court for those offenses as well as for escaping custody.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.