Royal Navy sailor appears in London court on national security charges
A 24-year-old Royal Navy sailor was charged under the National Security Act for handling protected information and for interest in a Russian intelligence website.
In a London court hearing, 24-year-old sailor Teddy Young, who worked on warfare intelligence for the Royal Navy, was charged with multiple offences under the National Security Act. The indictment alleges that between November 2024 and May 2025 he obtained, copied, recorded or retained protected information and that he focused on a website operated by Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR. Young appeared via video link from Belmarsh prison at the Old Bailey, where prosecutor Kelly Brocklehurst outlined five charges, including two national-security offences and a count of misconduct in public office.
He was not required to enter a plea, and the case has been scheduled to start in October 2027. Police clarified that these charges are unrelated to the ongoing investigation at RAF Fairford airbase.
Why it matters
The case highlights concerns over insider handling of classified data and foreign intelligence threats within the UK armed forces.
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