A BRITISH soldier suspected of being an Iranian spy allegedly clung to the bottom of a delivery lorry to escape prison, a jury heard.
Daniel Khalife, 23, is alleged to have slipped out of custody while working in the kitchens at HMP Wandsworth in South London on September 6 last year, triggering a nationwide manhunt before being arrested three days later.
The court heard he attached the sling under a food delivery truck's rear axle before wrapping himself inside.
When seized on a canal towpath he told the police "everything's gone to plan" and when quizzed about the daring escape told them: "I wasn't sitting in the front, you know."
Khalife, who was being held on remand accused of passing secrets to Iran, also told officers he "never thought" it was a crime to escape from prison, Woolwich Crown Court heard.
This story is from the October 24, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
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This story is from the October 24, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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