British Army member accused of 'bomb hoax' and terror offence appears in court

A 21-year-old serving member of the British Army accused of committing a "bomb hoax" and a terror offence at an RAF base has appeared in court.

Daniel Abed Khalife, of Beacon Barracks, Beaconside, Stafford, had a brief preliminary hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

He was charged on Friday over two incidents at RAF Stafford in Beaconside in August 2021 and January of this year.

On 2 August 2021, he is accused of eliciting or attempted to elicit information "about an individual who was or had been a member of His Majesty's forces which was of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism".

This is contrary to section 58A of the Terrorism Act 2000.

The second charge alleges he committed a "bomb hoax" by placing an article with intent on 2 January this year, court documents show.

He allegedly placed "three cannisters with wires at RAF Stafford with the intention of inducing in another a belief that the said article was likely to explode or ignite and thereby cause personal injury or damage to property", contrary to section 51 of the Criminal Law Act 1977.

Clean-shaven Khalife appeared in person at court, wearing a grey jumper and blue jeans.

Khalife was represented by Michael Jones and spoke to confirm his age, name and address.

At the request of prosecutor Tom Williams, District Judge Annabel Pilling adjourned plea before venue proceedings until 3 February.

Khalife was remanded in custody.