A 25-year-old man has been charged with assisting former soldier Daniel Khalife after his daring escape from Wandsworth Prison in September 2023.
The Metropolitan Police identified the man as Imran Chowdury from Chingford, east London. He is accused of aiding the 23-year-old ex-soldier, who evaded authorities for four days after escaping by clinging to the underside of a food delivery lorry.
Chowdury’s Arrest and Charges
Chowdury was arrested in January 2024 and formally charged in December with one count of assisting an escaped prisoner. The charge was issued via postal requisition. While police did not specify the nature of the assistance provided, Chowdury is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to face the allegations.
Separately, a 25-year-old woman arrested in February 2024 on suspicion of aiding Khalife has been released without further action, according to police.
Details of Daniel Khalife’s Escape
Daniel Khalife, a former lance corporal in the Royal Signals, staged his escape on 6 September 2023 from the Category B Wandsworth Prison. Using a makeshift sling crafted from trousers, Khalife attached himself to the underside of a lorry delivering food to the facility.
His escape prompted a nationwide manhunt, capturing headlines as authorities worked to locate him. Khalife was eventually apprehended on 9 September 2023, riding a stolen mountain bike along a canal towpath in Northolt, west London—14 miles from where his escape began.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigations
The Metropolitan Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Khalife’s escape and the alleged assistance he received during his time on the run. Chowdury’s court appearance will mark the next phase in the legal process.
