A court’s heard how a former British soldier – accused of escaping Wandsworth Prison last year – considered travelling to the Middle East, before deciding it was too dangerous.

Daniel Khalife allegedly passed on secret information to Iran while still serving – fleeing his Army barracks when he realised he’d face criminal charges.

The 23-year-old insists he just wanted to “strengthen” their relationship “based on lies”.

Matthew Thompson is outside Woolwich Crown Court.