A serving Royal Navy member has appeared in court accused of obtaining protected defence information and preparing to disclose it to Russia. Teddy Stanley Greenidge Young, 24, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday following his arrest at his home in Clapham, Bedfordshire, on Wednesday, October 7.

He faces allegations under the National Security Act relating to conduct between November 26, 2024, and May 21, 2025. The charges concern allegedly "preparing to disclose protected information" and having "obtained, copied, recorded or retained protected information, intending the conduct to benefit a foreign power".

The Crown Prosecution 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 defence and intelligence material and engaged in activity consistent with preparing to pass protected information to a foreign power." Young joined the Navy in April 2024. The alleged offences occurred during his first deployment, which began on November 4 that year. He is also accused of using the dark web to try to contact Russian authorities.

No pleas were entered during the four-minute hearing. Judge Pilling remanded Young in custody and sent the case to the Old Bailey, where he is due to appear on October 16. "As you know the matters that you have been charged with are too serious to be dealt with at this court and need to be dealt with at a crown court," the judge told him.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: "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." Police said the arrest and charges were unrelated to the investigation at RAF Fairford.

A Royal Navy representative said: "A member of the Royal Navy has been charged with National Security Act offences following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London. "As legal proceedings are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."