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.”
The charge was put to him again and Khalife, dressed in a white shirt, chinos, a blue knitted waistcoat and white trainers, answered: “I’m guilty.”
He faces cross-examination on the spying charges today.
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