The former soldier, 21, allegedly broke out of the Category B jail on the morning of Wednesday 6 September.

He is said to have been working in the prison kitchen and wearing a cook's uniform when he used bedsheets to strap himself under a food truck to make his getaway.

Khalife, a former member of the Royal Signals who was based at Beacon Barracks in Stafford, was arrested on Saturday 9 September - ending a 75-hour manhunt.

He appeared at the Old Bailey by videolink from Category A Belmarsh prison today, where he sat at a desk wearing a bright yellow and blue sweater.

Khalife spoke to say he could hear the court and to confirm his name and date of birth before pleading not guilty to a single charge of escape.

The charge states that on 6 September, "then being a prisoner in HMP Wandsworth and being remanded in custody pending trial…escaped".

At the time of the alleged offence, he was on remand at HMP Wandsworth awaiting trial. He had been accused of leaving fake bombs at a military base, a charge under the Terrorism Act, and another under the Official Secrets Act, which alleges he committed "an act prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state".

Khalife was discharged from the army in May and appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink in July, denying the charges against him.

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