Daniel Khalife pleads guilty to escaping from prison Khalife, who is accused of spending two years passing secrets to the Iranians while serving with the Royal Corps of Signals, escaped from prison under a food catering van on 6 September last year — causing a nationwide manhunt.

(Sky News) A former soldier accused of spying for Iran has pleaded guilty to escaping from prison under a food catering truck and going on the run for four days while he was awaiting trial.

Daniel Khalife, 23, from Kingston, southwest London, changed his plea to a charge of escaping from lawful custody, halfway through giving evidence at Woolwich Crown Court.

The judge, Mrs Justice Cheema Grubb, told the jury: “In your absence, I have asked Mr Khalife if he wants count four put to him again.

“He has admitted he was in lawful custody and has admitted he has deliberately escaped and therefore there is no lawful defence to that charge.”

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