A Royal Navy sailor has appeared in court on charges of preparing to spy for Russia.

Royal Navy sailor Teddy Young, 24, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday charged with preparing to transfer classified information for the benefit of a foreign state, allegedly Russia.

Young became the first member of the British Armed Forces to face charges under the new National Security Act 2023.

According to investigators, while serving in the Royal Navy as a military intelligence specialist, Young retained material relating to British defense and intelligence activities to which he had access through his service, and also prepared to transfer this classified information.

As the BBC learned, the charges, in particular, relate to the fact that Young translated the message into Russian and was looking for an Internet portal through which the information could be transmitted to Russia.

The charges relate to the period from November 26, 2024 to May 21, 2025.

Young was brought into the courtroom wearing a police-issued gray sweatshirt. He confirmed his name, date of birth and residential address in court.

Young was arrested on Tuesday at his home in Bedfordshire.

“These are extremely serious charges brought against a serving member of the armed forces,” said Helen Flanagan, head of the London police counter-terrorism unit. “As the investigation progresses, we have worked closely with the relevant operational elements of the Department of Defense to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to mitigate any potential risks associated with this matter.”

A Royal Navy spokesman said:

“A member of the Royal Navy has been charged with breaching the National Security Act following an investigation by the London Police Counter Terrorism Unit. As the litigation is ongoing, further comment would be inappropriate.”

Judge Annabel Pilling ordered Young to remain in custody. The next hearing in his case will take place on October 16 at London's Old Bailey Central Criminal Court.

Police said the alleged offenses were not linked to a recent incident at RAF Fairford, after which seven men were detained and subsequently released on bail.