Royal Navy Sailor Accused of Drafting Message in Russian With UK Secrets as London Court Hears Spying Claims

A Royal Navy sailor appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Thursday, facing National Security Act charges over alleged preparations to disclose UK secrets to a foreign power. Able Seaman Teddy Young, 24, allegedly drafted a message in Russian containing classified information.

Young, who specialised in warfare intelligence, was arrested at his Bedfordshire home on Tuesday. The charges brought against him concern alleged conduct between 26 November 2024 and 21 May 2025, involving sensitive defence and intelligence material he could access through his job.

Russian Message Allegations Against Royal Navy Sailor

The BBC reported that the allegations against the sailor include translating a message into Russian and searching for a web portal that invited people to submit information to Russia. Police have not named the foreign power to which the charges relate.

Prosecutors allege Young obtained protected information with a view to disclosing it. Their case concerns both his handling of that material and preparations he allegedly undertook to pass it to a foreign power.

He is charged with engaging in conduct in preparation for disclosing protected information. He also faces a charge of obtaining, copying, recording or retaining protected information, intending the conduct to benefit a foreign power.

The allegations described concern steps towards disclosure and do not establish that a foreign power received the material. The Russian-language activity is alleged by prosecutors, while the account of the portal search comes from the BBC's reporting.

Royal Navy Intelligence Role Examined in Court

The Crown Prosecution Service's written summary of the allegations set out the connection between Young's duties and his access to sensitive material. Prosecutors described a serving intelligence rating whose work involved both high-level clearance and access to intelligence systems.

'The allegation is that while serving as a Royal Navy warfare intelligence rating with high level security clearance and intelligence-system access, Teddy Stanley Greenidge Young accessed and retained sensitive UK defence and intelligence material and engaged in activity consistent with preparing to pass protected information to a foreign power,' the Crown Prosecution Service told the court in its written summary.

Young appeared in court wearing a police-issue grey sweatshirt during the hearing. He spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address in Clapham, near Bedford.

Royal Navy Declines Further Comment During Proceedings

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, stated, 'These are very serious charges against a serving member of the armed forces.

'We have worked extremely closely with relevant operational colleagues within the Ministry of Defence as our investigation has progressed to ensure appropriate measures could be taken to mitigate any potential risks linked to this matter.'

A Royal Navy spokesperson confirmed that a service member had been charged and added, 'As legal proceedings are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.'

Police stated that the alleged offences were unrelated to the recent RAF Fairford incident, which prompted arrests following reports of suspicious activity near the base.

Seven men were arrested and later released on bail in connection with that separate incident, which remains under investigation by counter-terror police.

Judge Annabel Pilling remanded Young in custody. His next appearance is scheduled at the Old Bailey on 16 October.