By DAVID OLASEINDE
Published: | Updated:
A Royal Navy sailor accused of plotting to leak classified information to Russia faces fresh charges against him.
Teddy Young, 24, allegedly abused his high–level security clearance to access secret defence and intelligence data while deployed on a Navy vessel.
He drafted a message in Russian containing classified information and took steps to make direct contact with the Russian authorities using the dark web, it is claimed.
Young joined the Navy in April 2024 and allegedly began offending on his first deployment from November 4 2024.
He was serving as a Royal Navy warfare intelligence rating with high–level security clearance and intelligence–system access.
British national Young was first arrested on May 21 2025 and then rearrested at his home in Bedfordshire on October 6.
On Friday, Young, of Clapham in Bedford, appeared at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing before Mrs Justice Cheema–Grubb.
The defendant appeared by videolink from Belmarsh prison wearing a grey tracksuit and spoke to confirm his identity.
Royal Navy sailor Teddy Young, 24, has appeared at the Old Bailey to face additional charges after allegedly attempting to pass classified military intelligence to Russia
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, described the charges as serious and said police had worked closely with the Ministry of Defence to minimise potential security risks
Prosecutor Kelly Brocklehurst said the allegations against Young arose 'out of the defendant's duties as a serving member of the Royal Navy'.
He said Young 'took particular interest in the Russian military service'.
He said the evidence indicated he accessed and, without authority, retained 'sensitive information' about intelligence and was communicating with a 'third party overseas'.
He alleged the defendant 'intended to share some or all of the intelligence with a foreign power'.
Young was initially charged with two offences under the National Security Act 2023.
Mr Brocklehurst said he now faced further charges of misconduct in a public office and two counts of failing to comply with a notice, contrary to section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (Ripa) 2000.
The first charge alleges he engaged in conduct preparatory to the commission of an offence by 'disclosing protected information' for a purpose which was 'prejudicial to the safety or interests of the UK, intending the conduct to benefit a foreign power'.
The second charge alleges he obtained or disclosed protected information between November 26 2024 and May 21 2025.
Young is further charged with misconduct in a public office between February 15 2024 and March 25 2025.
The charge states that while working as a rating in the Royal Navy, he 'wilfully misconducted himself' by sending classified information to a personal email address, via WhatsApp and Discord, and retained classified information on personal devices.
The two offences of failing to disclose Ripa powers related to a Sandisk USB and SD card.
Mrs Justice Cheema–Grubb set a timetable for the case with a plea hearing on March 12 and a provisional eight–week trial at The Old Bailey from October 8 before a High Court judge.
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said earlier: 'These are very serious charges against a serving member of the armed forces.
'We have worked extremely closely with relevant operational colleagues within the Ministry of Defence as our investigation has progressed to ensure appropriate measures could be taken to mitigate any potential risks linked to this matter.
'It is important now that any further speculation on this case is avoided and so that the case can progress through the courts and the justice process not be impeded in any way.'
Young was remanded into custody.