The former signaller, 23, is facing criminal charges accusing him of spying for Iran and last year allegedly escaped from Wandsworth prison under a food delivery truck
A former British soldier accused of spying for Iran left what was thought to be a makeshift bomb in his barracks, a court heard.
Daniel Khalife, 23, is said to have sparked a major security alert at his unit’s base in January 2023. It is claimed he left the fake device to delay a hunt for him after he absconded fearing arrest on spying charges.
The then signaller – who is said to have escaped from Wandsworth prison later that year – had not reported for parade in Beaconside, Staffordshire, after a Christmas break. A note was left near the phoney bomb, Woolwich crown court heard.
It read: “You can say with certainty that you will go to prison for a very long time. Your options are suicide or absconding.” And it added: “Once in Iran you can manage life again and travel to interesting places freely.”
A bomb disposal unit set up a 100m cordon around the device before confirming the silver coloured gas canisters bound with green tape were not dangerous, it was heard. Lance Corporal Aaron Barrett said he had noticed what he thought were “four energy type bottles” with wires coming out the top.
Asked what he initially thought the bottles might be, Lance Corporal Barrett said: “A makeshift bomb, straight away.” He said he approached the item “tentatively, very tentatively, just in case,” before reporting what he had seen.
Khalife is said to have fled when he realised he would face criminal charges over allegations he passed classified information to Iran’s intelligence service. He was found and arrested days later. The previous month, having been interviewed by police, Khalife was told his case had been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision.
When on remand in September last year, he escaped from HMP Wandsworth in South West London, the court heard. He is suspected of breaking out by tying himself under a food delivery truck with bedsheets. He was arrested three days later.
As well as the prison escape, Khalife faces charges of breaching the Official Secrets Act and Terrorism Act. He denies all the charges. The trial continues.
