Royal Navy Sailor Arrested A Second Time By Counter Terrorism Police Now Charged With Spying Offences

A 24-year-old Royal Navy sailor accused of trying to pass secret British military information to Russia appeared in a London court on Thursday, October 8.

Teddy Young has been charged under the National Security Act 2023 and will remain in custody until his next court hearing on October 16.

Young is accused of using his security clearance to access secret defence and intelligence information while serving on a Navy vessel.

Prosecutors allege that he wrote a message in Russian containing classified information and used the dark web to try to contact Russian authorities.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) told Westminster Magistrates’ Court that Young had accessed and kept sensitive British defence and intelligence material. He is accused of preparing to pass the information to a foreign power. The allegations have not been proven.

According to the charges, the alleged offences took place between November 26, 2024, and May 21, 2025. Young is accused of preparing to share protected information in a way that could harm the UK’s safety or interests, with the intention of benefiting a foreign power.

He is also accused of obtaining, copying, recording or keeping protected information for the same purpose. Prosecutors allege that he copied information to a private email account, breaking Navy rules, and drafted a message seeking contact with a potential threat actor.

Young joined the Royal Navy in April 2024. His first deployment began on November 4 that year. He served as a warfare intelligence rating, a role that gave him access to intelligence systems and sensitive information.

Counter Terrorism Policing London arrested Young at his home in Clapham, near Bedford, on Tuesday. He had previously been arrested in Hampshire on May 21, 2025, and released on bail while police continued their investigation.

According to Sky News, his security clearance was suspended after the first arrest, and he was removed from his duties. He remained on gardening leave until his latest arrest.

Young appeared before District Judge Annabel Pilling at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. He was not asked to enter a plea. The judge sent the case to the Old Bailey because the charges were too serious to be dealt with at a magistrates’ court.

Young was remanded in custody and is due to appear at the Old Bailey on October 16.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said investigators had worked closely with the Ministry of Defence during the investigation to reduce any potential risks linked to the case.

A Royal Navy spokesperson confirmed that a service member had been charged under the National Security Act following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London.

Police said the investigation was not connected to a separate inquiry into suspicious vehicles found near RAF Fairford on September 27.

Three suspicious vans were found near the British air base, and seven men have been arrested in connection with that investigation.

References: Sky News, AP News