A 24-year-old Royal Navy sailor has been charged under the UK’s National Security Act over allegations that he prepared to pass sensitive defence and intelligence information to a foreign power.Able Seaman Teddy Young, a warfare intelligence specialist, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. He is accused of retaining protected UK defence and intelligence material and preparing to disclose it with the intention of benefiting a foreign power.The BBC reported that the allegations include translating a message into Russian and searching for an online portal where information could be submitted to Russia.Young, who had security clearance and access to intelligence systems, faces two charges relating to protected information. The alleged offences took place between November 26, 2024, and May 21, 2025.The Crown Prosecution Service said Young allegedly accessed and retained sensitive UK defence and intelligence material while serving as a Royal Navy warfare intelligence rating and engaged in activity consistent with preparing to pass protected information to a foreign power.Young was arrested at his home in Bedfordshire on Tuesday by counter-terrorism police. He was remanded in custody by District Judge Annabel Pilling and is due to appear at the Old Bailey, the UK’s Central Criminal Court, on October 16.The sailor is the first member of the UK armed forces to be charged under the National Security Act 2023.Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said the charges were “very serious” as they involved a serving member of the armed forces. She said police had worked closely with the Ministry of Defence during the investigation to mitigate any potential risks.A Royal Navy spokesperson confirmed that a service member had been charged but said it would be inappropriate to comment further while legal proceedings were ongoing.Police said the allegations against Young are not connected to the recent incident at RAF Fairford, where seven men were arrested and later released on bail following reports of suspicious activity near the airbase.
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