A former soldier “congratulated” the police officer who captured him three days after he allegedly escaped from prison, a jury heard.
Woolwich Crown Court on Friday heard evidence from a Metropolitan Police officer who claimed to have trapped Daniel Califf on a canal towpath in west London.
A plainclothes detective sergeant, who has not been named in court, said he jumped out of his car and ran down an alley towards the canal.
“It is a situation that evolves very quickly. I could see Khalif approaching me on the sidewalk riding a bicycle in clothing that fit the description. I was sure it was Daniel Califf and told him I was under arrest. “I ran down the stairs and pulled out my Taser,” he told the jury.
The court heard Khalif “shivered” when he saw the device, but had “no chance to stop” due to the speed at which it was moving. “I grabbed his hand and pulled him off the bike to the ground.”
The 23-year-old is said to have escaped from HMP Wandsworth in south London by tying himself to the bottom of a food delivery truck while on remand. He was arrested on September 9 in west London after stealing several items. A Waitrose bag containing the phone, receipts, a diary and around £200 worth of notes, the jury was told.
After the arrest, jurors were shown a photograph of Khalif, which showed him sitting on the ground wearing a white T-shirt, blue shorts and red socks without sandals.
A Met police officer who arrested the alleged fugitive said Khalif drove in the direction where Khalif was seen to try to overtake him. Once he reached the former soldier, the officer said, he “obeyed” and was handcuffed. The officer was later joined by his colleagues, who sat Califf down and formally arrested him.
When asked about Khalif's behavior, the officer said: “He was friendly to me. Very fun. I didn't try to resist at any time. He was sweet. He congratulated me for catching him.
When asked by defense lawyer Gul Nawaz Hussain KC if he had told Khalif to “stop or I will shoot”, the officer replied: “No.” When asked if Calif stopped and approached the officer voluntarily, the detective sergeant laughed and responded: “Complete and utter rubbish,” before saying: “You got me.”
Prosecutor Mark Heywood KC previously told the jury Khalif “deliberately escaped” after being taken to the kitchen where he was working.
On September 6, Califf traveled to Richmond, southwest of London, and visited the Mountain Warehouse clothing store. The next day he was photographed in M&S and Sainsbury's, the court heard. On the day of his arrest, the former soldier was seen at a McDonald's, the investigation reported.
His absence was discovered during a recount, after which all movement in the prison was suspended, the jury was told.
Khalif also faces charges of contravening the Official Secrets Act and the Terrorism Act, and is accused of carrying out the bomb hoax. He denies all allegations.
The investigation continues.
