Royal Navy Sailor Faces New Charges in Alleged Plot to Leak Secrets to Russia
Teddy Young, 24, accused of abusing security clearance and attempting to share classified defense data.
A Royal Navy sailor, Teddy Young, 24, is facing fresh charges in connection with an alleged plot to leak classified military information to Russia. Young is accused of abusing his high-level security clearance to access secret defense and intelligence data while serving on a Navy vessel.
Prosecutors claim that Young drafted a message in Russian containing classified information and attempted to contact Russian authorities through the dark web. He reportedly joined the Navy in April 2024 and began allegedly committing offenses on his first deployment in November 2024. At the time, he was serving as a warfare intelligence rating with access to sensitive information.
Young was initially arrested on May 21, 2025, and rearrested at his home in Bedfordshire on October 6. He appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink from Belmarsh prison for a preliminary hearing.
Prosecutor Kelly Brocklehurst stated that the allegations stem from Young's duties as a serving member of the Royal Navy and that he showed a "particular interest in the Russian military service." Evidence suggests he accessed and retained sensitive intelligence information without authorization and communicated with an overseas third party, with the intent to share intelligence with a foreign power.
Young was originally charged with two offenses under the National Security Act 2023. He now faces additional charges, including misconduct in a public office and two counts of failing to comply with a notice under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (Ripa) 2000.
The indictment includes a charge of preparing to disclose protected information for a purpose prejudicial to the UK's safety or interests, intending to benefit a foreign power. Another 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, for allegedly sending classified information to a personal email address, via WhatsApp and Discord, and retaining classified information on personal devices.
The two Ripa offenses relate to failing to disclose information from a Sandisk USB and an SD card. Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, described the charges as very serious and noted close collaboration with the Ministry of Defence to mitigate potential security risks. Speculation has been discouraged to allow the legal process to proceed.
A plea hearing is scheduled for March 12, with a provisional eight-week trial set to begin on October 8 at The Old Bailey. Young has been remanded into custody.