Teddy Young, 24, was arrested at his home in Bedfordshire
and charged with “accessing and retaining sensitive” defense- and
intelligence-related materials, as well as “engaged in activity consistent with
preparing to pass protected information to a foreign power,” according to
prosecutors’ case papers.
Young worked in a Royal Navy intelligence unit responsible
for naval operations.
During a hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, he did
not apply for bail and spoke only to confirm his identity.
Young is scheduled to appear at the Central Criminal Court of
England and Wales (Old Bailey) on Oct. 16.
He is accused of gathering confidential information and
preparing it for transmission to Russia between November 2024 and May 2025.
Prosecutors allege that he used the dark web to try to
contact Russian authorities, prepared a message that “was intended to establish
contact with a potential representative of a hostile party” and violated
military rules by sending information to a personal email address.
The indictment alleges that Young obtained, copied, recorded,
or retained protected information intending to use those actions for the
benefit of a foreign state. It also says he knew, or should reasonably have
understood from the circumstances known to him, that his actions could harm the
security or interests of the United Kingdom.
The case is the latest in a series of criminal proceedings
in the United Kingdom involving people accused of assisting foreign states.
Three men were charged in court this week with spying for Iran. Prosecutors
allege they gathered information that was ultimately intended to be used in
attacks against journalists in London who have criticized the Iranian
government.