A Briton who "dreamed of being like James Bond" was found guilty of attempting to spy for people he believed were Russian intelligence agents, PA Media and DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
The 65-year-old Briton intended to help two men he thought were Russian agents named "Sasha" and "Dima" by giving them personal information about former Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, and also helping them with travel logistics and hotel reservations.
"Dima" and "Sasha" however, they were actually undercover British counter-intelligence agents, as emerged during the trial at Winchester Crown Court.
After a two-week trial at the same court, the jury found the man guilty of collaborating with a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act. The jury reached a unanimous verdict after four hours and four minutes of deliberation. The defendant, wearing a dark suit and tie, silently shook his head in the courtroom as the verdict was read. Prosecutors said the man had intended to assist Russian agents from the end of 2023 until May last year. He offered to give Shapps contact details and the location of his private jet to "make it easier for the Russians to eavesdrop on British defence plans", the trial heard. He is heard on tape telling the men he wanted to work for Russia in return for financial independence from Britain. The defendant's ex-wife told the court during the trial that he had "dreamed of being like James Bond" and watched films related to MI5 and MI6 because he was "obsessed with them".
"Thank you very much for the important work you have done on this very important case. "As a system we try to get the right answers in these situations," she told the jury.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism unit arrested the man in central London on May 16 last year after he arrived in the capital to meet the two fake Russian agents.
"(The man) was unemployed and his main motivation for becoming a spy for Russian intelligence was the financial incentive," said Chief Inspector Helen Flanagan.
"His guilty plea should serve as a stark warning to anyone who thinks that carrying out illegal activity for the benefit of a foreign country is an attractive or easy way to make money. The reality is that we take this type of activity extremely seriously. "Those involved will be identified, investigated and, like (this person), will face extremely serious consequences when brought to justice. This case is another example of the successful use of the National Security Act to prosecute someone who has attempted to undermine the security of the UK, and we will continue to use these powers at our disposal to protect public safety," she said.
"This conviction sends a clear message to anyone who might consider spying for or assisting Russia," said Bethan David, head of counter-terrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service.