Former UK soldier appears in court accused of prison escape

FILE PHOTO: A general view of Wandsworth prison, where Daniel Abed Khalife, a former soldier who is suspected of terrorism offences, escaped, in London, Britain, September 7, 2023. REUTERS/Anna Gordon/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - A former British soldier, who has been accused of offences relating to terrorism and the Official Secrets Act, appeared in court on Monday charged with breaking out of prison last week and going on the run.

Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, escaped last Wednesday from London's Wandsworth prison, where he was being held ahead of his trial for the other offences, by attaching himself to the underside of a food delivery truck using makeshift straps possibly made from bed sheets, prosecutors say.