A 24-year-old British Royal Navy sailor, Teddi Stanley Greenidge Young, appeared in a London court on Thursday to face charges under the UK's National Security Act 2023. He is accused of misusing his high-level security clearance to access sensitive defense and intelligence data and taking steps to contact Russian authorities. Young, who works in naval warfare intelligence, has a high-level security clearance and access to intelligence systems.
According to the prosecution, Young accessed and retained sensitive materials related to British defense and intelligence. He allegedly prepared a message in Russian containing classified information and took steps to contact Russian authorities. Young is also accused of using the dark web to try to contact a Russian entity, with the goal of communicating with a potential threat.
The charges against Young include preparing to pass protected information to a foreign power and obtaining protected information with the intention of providing it to a foreign power. The alleged actions took place between November 26, 2024, and May 21, 2025. Young joined the Royal Navy in April 2024 and began his first assignment on November 4, 2024.
A spokesperson for the Royal Navy said that an investigation by London's counter-terrorism police led to the charges against Young. The spokesperson added that further comments would be inappropriate while legal proceedings continue. The police previously stated that there is no connection between Young's case and an ongoing investigation at RAF Fairford.
Young was arrested at his home in Bedfordshire on Tuesday after previously being arrested in Hampshire last year. He faces two charges: engaging in preparatory behavior for a crime under the National Security Act 2023 and obtaining or retaining material benefits from a designated person. During a four-minute court session, Young was not asked to plead.
The judge, Anabel Biling, referred the case to the Old Bailey criminal court, and Young is scheduled to appear there on October 16. He remains in custody. The case has raised concerns about security breaches within the Royal Navy.
The incident highlights the risks of insider threats and the challenges of maintaining national security. The authorities have not disclosed further details about the case, citing ongoing investigations. Young's actions, if proven, could have serious implications for UK-Russia relations and national security.
Key points
- A British Royal Navy sailor has been charged with planning to leak secret information to Russia.
- The accused sailor, Teddi Stanley Greenidge Young, accessed sensitive defense and intelligence data using his high-level security clearance.
- The case has raised concerns about security breaches within the Royal Navy and the risks of insider threats.
