Royal Navy sailor charged with preparing to spy for Russia under UK security law
A 24-year-old Royal Navy sailor has appeared in a London court accused of preparing to pass sensitive British defense and intelligence information to Russia, the BBC reported on October 8.
Able Seaman Teddy Young, a warfare intelligence specialist with high-level security clearance, allegedly accessed and retained classified defense and intelligence materials between November 2024 and May 2025.
According to the BBC, the allegations include translating a message into Russian and searching for an online portal inviting people to submit information to Russia.
Prosecutors charged Young with preparing to disclose protected information and obtaining, copying or retaining sensitive materials with the intention of benefiting a foreign power.
Young was arrested at his home in Bedfordshire on October 6 and appeared before Westminster Magistrates' Court on October 8. He was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on October 16.
He is the first serving member of the British armed forces to be charged under the National Security Act 2023.
British police said the case was unrelated to a recent security incident at RAF Fairford, where seven men were arrested and subsequently released on bail following reports of suspicious activity near the air base.