A 24-year-old Royal Navy sailor has appeared in court, accused of preparing to pass classified military secrets to Russia. Able Seaman Teddy Young is the first member of the British armed forces to face charges under the UK’s new National Security Act 2023.
Young worked as a warfare intelligence rating, a specialist role that granted him high-level security clearance and access to sensitive intelligence systems. Prosecutors allege that he abused this trust to gather and hold onto protected defence documents with the intent of handing them over to a foreign power.
The Court Appearance
During a brief hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, Young stood in the dock wearing a grey police-issue sweatshirt. He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, and his address in Clapham, near Bedford. Officers had arrested him at his home on Tuesday.
The formal charges against him cover a six-month period between 26 November 2024 and 21 May 2025. He faces two counts: engaging in conduct in preparation for disclosing protected information, and obtaining, copying, or retaining protected information to benefit a foreign state.
Some details of the allegations emerged in court. It is understood that the prosecution’s case includes claims that Young translated a message into Russian. He also allegedly searched online for a specific web portal that invites people to submit information to Russia.
High-Level Security Breach Alleged
The Crown Prosecution Service provided a written summary of the case to the court. “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 summary stated.
District Judge Annabel Pilling remanded Young in custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for 16 October at the Old Bailey, London’s central criminal court.
Police and Defence Reaction
Counter-terrorism detectives are leading the investigation. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, emphasised the gravity of the case. “These are very serious charges against a serving member of the armed forces,” she said. Flanagan added that her team worked hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Defence to manage and mitigate any potential security risks as the investigation unfolded.
A spokesperson for the Royal Navy confirmed that a service member had been charged. However, they declined to comment further, citing the active legal proceedings.
Police also clarified that Young’s arrest is completely unrelated to the recent security incident near RAF Fairford. That separate investigation, which involves suspicious activity near the airbase, has seen seven men arrested and subsequently released on bail.