A Royal Navy sailor has appeared in court accused of plotting to pass classified UK intelligence to Russia.

Alleged spy Teddy Young, 24, appeared briefly in the dock at Westminster Magistrates Court this afternoon accused of spying.

Young, wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit, with short cropped hair, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

The warfare intelligence rating is alleged to have abused his high-level security clearance to access secret defence and intelligence data after being deployed on a Navy vessel.

It is said he had drafted a message, translated into Russian, containing classified information.

He had also allegedly taken steps to make direct contact with the Russian authorities.

The Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) written summary of the allegations states 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'.

It is said Young, who joined the Navy in April 2024, committed the offences on his first deployment, which began on November 4 2024.

He is accused of using the dark web to try to make contact with Russian authorities, drafting a message which 'sought to make contact with a potential threat actor', and breaking Navy rules by copying information to a private email account.

Both alleged offences are contrary to the National Security Act.

District Judge Annabel Pilling did not ask prosecutor Rebecca Waller to open any details of the case.

Well-spoken Young stood with his hands placed in front of him and was not asked to enter any pleas. He smiled briefly as he was taken back into custody.

He was remanded to appear before the Old Bailey on October 16.

Young was described by a neighbour as a 'polite' and 'well-mannered' lad of 'good character' who had never been in trouble with the police.

He is said to have previously worked at a magistrates' court, but dreamed of a military career.

The neighbour - called Maggie - told the Mail: 'I've known the family for decades, since he was a kid.

'He is a good lad, he always wanted to join the Navy.

'He was a quiet lad, played video games or do whatever he did in his bedroom.'

She added: 'Years ago he used to work in a magistrates court, probably just putting the papers down, the clerks or whatever.

'He said it was the easiest job he had ever done.

'He was a good character, polite.

'I'm just still under shock about the situation.'

She said Young was 'patriotic' and added: 'It's not as if he goes out and looks for trouble.

'He's not that kind of boy, he's just a polite, well dressed, well mannered young man.'

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.'

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

Police have said there was no link between this investigation and the ongoing RAF Fairford probe.

So far seven people have been arrested after three suspicious vans were stopped near the airbase in Gloucestershire on Sunday, September 27.