Royal Navy sailor Teddy Young charged with preparing to spy for Russia

Able Seaman Teddy Young, a 24-year-old Royal Navy sailor who specialised in warfare intelligence, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 8 October 2026 after being charged under the National Security Act with preparing to spy for Russia. He was arrested at his home address in Bedfordshire on Tuesday. Judge Annabel Pilling remanded him in custody, and he will next appear at the Old Bailey on 16 October.bbc.co.uk+1

Young faces two charges: engaging in conduct in preparation for disclosing protected information, and obtaining, copying, recording or retaining protected information, intending the conduct to benefit a foreign power. The charges cover a period between 26 November 2024 and 21 May 2025. Police did not name the foreign power to which the charges relate. He is the first member of the armed forces to be charged under the National Security Act 2023.

What the charges allege

The Crown Prosecution Service told the court in a written summary that Young served as a Royal Navy warfare intelligence rating with high-level security clearance and intelligence-system access, and that he accessed and retained sensitive UK defence and intelligence material. The prosecution said he engaged in activity consistent with preparing to pass protected information to a foreign power. The allegations include translating a message into Russian and looking for a web portal that invited people to submit information to Russia.arabnews.com

Counter Terrorism Policing London head Commander Helen Flanagan called the charges very serious against a serving member of the armed forces. She said her team had worked extremely closely with colleagues within the Ministry of Defence as the investigation progressed to ensure appropriate measures could be taken to mitigate any potential risks linked to the matter. A Royal Navy spokesperson confirmed a service member had been charged but declined to comment further while legal proceedings are ongoing.

Police and navy respond

The alleged offences fall within a defined window of just under six months, from 26 November 2024 to 21 May 2025. Young, who confirmed his name, date of birth and address in Clapham, near Bedford, appeared in court wearing a police-issue grey sweatshirt.

Young confirms details in court

Police said the alleged offences were not related to the recent RAF Fairford incident, in which suspicious activity was reported near the base. In total, seven men have been arrested and later released on bail in connection with that incident, which counter-terror police are investigating. US officials have said the Fairford incident involved a potential Iranian drone attack, according to the reporting of the charge.

Young's arrest and charge mark the first time a member of the armed forces has faced prosecution under the National Security Act 2023, the legislation that replaced older secrecy offences. The Crown Prosecution Service's written summary to the court set out the specific conduct alleged: accessing and retaining sensitive defence and intelligence material while holding intelligence-system access, and preparing to pass it to a foreign power.

British police announced the charges on Thursday, 8 October 2026, and Young appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court the same day. The Crown Prosecution Service, Counter Terrorism Policing London and the Ministry of Defence are the named bodies involved in the case. The Royal Navy confirmed the charge but said it would be inappropriate to comment further while proceedings continue.

What happens next

Judge Annabel Pilling remanded Young in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court. He will next appear at the Old Bailey on 16 October 2026, where further proceedings in the case are scheduled. The next date in the case is 16 October 2026, when Young is due to appear at the Old Bailey following his remand in custody by Judge Annabel Pilling at Westminster Magistrates' Court.