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A 24-year-old Royal Navy sailor appeared in a London court on Thursday, accused of spying for Russia.
Teddy Young faces two charges under the UK’s National Security Act for allegedly obtaining and preparing to share protected information between November 2024 and May 2025, London’s Metropolitan Police Service said.
“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 defense and intelligence material and engaged in activity consistent with preparing to pass protected information to a foreign power,” the Crown Prosecution Service wrote summary.
Young allegedly used the dark web to try to contact Russian authorities, drafting a message that “sought to make contact with a potential threat actor.”
Young was not asked to enter a plea during Thursday’s brief hearing due to the seriousness of the charges. He will remain in custody until his next court appearance in London on 16 October.
The sailor joined the Navy in April 2024 and is accused of committing the offences during his first deployment, which began on 4 November 2024.
Young was previously arrested on May 21, 2025, and released on bail pending further investigation. His security clearance was suspended at that time and he was removed from his duties.
The Royal Navy issued a statement acknowledging the arrest of a service member.
“As legal proceedings are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage,” the navy said.