A 31-year-old British man accused of plotting to damage a UK drone factory on behalf of Russian intelligence has been ordered to remain in custody.
Joshua Cammidge is facing charges of assisting a foreign intelligence service and allegedly preparing, or intending to prepare, an act of sabotage.
Cammidge appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where he entered no plea. The case has now been transferred to the Old Bailey, with the next hearing scheduled for September 25.
Prosecutors told the court that Cammidge allegedly offered to carry out the sabotage himself while in communication with soldier Aiden Minnis.
The allegations include claims that he researched four drone manufacturing sites in Swindon, looked into a Wi-Fi jamming device, and conducted reconnaissance as part of the alleged preparation.
He allegedly received instructions from Minnis, who is believed to be linked to the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group controlled by Russia’s intelligence services.
The charges state that between March 27 and September 5 this year, Cammidge supplied Google Maps screenshots showing the addresses of four drone manufacturing sites in Swindon.
Cammidge also allegedly provided details about activity at one of the factories.
Prosecutor Warren Stanier told the court Cammidge had been in contact with Minnis on Facebook before agreeing to move to Telegram.
Joshua Cammidge, 31, has been accused of preparing to sabotage a drone factory in the UK on behalf of Russia’s intelligence services. He was remanded in custody on Thursday
Cammidge has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and intending to commit or engage in conduct to prepare an act of sabotage (a court sketch is pictured)
Cammidge did not enter a plea during a hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and the case was sent to the Old Bailey for a hearing on September 25 (stock)
He said there were 58 communications between Cammidge and Minnis from August 28 to September 3.
Mr Stanier said: ‘The prosecution say the essence of communications was locations within the UK of factories that manufactured drones and the sabotage of those factories.
‘The prosecution case is he knew exactly who he was communicating with and the implications of what he was offering to do.’
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Cammidge wrongly thought his friend had been killed fighting for Russia last month, the court heard.
The Swindon man appeared at the central London court wearing a prison-issued tracksuit. He spoke only to confirm his personal details.
He was arrested by Counter Terrorism Policing London officers, supported by officers from Wiltshire Police, at an address in Swindon on Friday, Metropolitan Police said.
Cammidge was then taken to a London police station and searches were carried out at a different address in Swindon.
The next day, Cammidge was further arrested and detained under the National Security Act 2023, on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.
In July, the Government formally designated the GRU Volunteer Corps under the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026, making it a criminal offence to express support for the group.
The GRU is sanctioned in its entirety by the UK, and hackers linked to the agency have been blamed for cyber attacks in Britain.
A GRU squad is believed to be behind the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.
Frank Ferguson, chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: ‘Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
‘We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial.
‘It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in anyway prejudice these proceedings.’
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: ‘The police have taken action against a potential threat, and I thank them for the vital work they do every day to keep us safe.
‘Whilst it would be inappropriate to comment further on the specifics of this case, I know people will be concerned about recent incidents across Europe, intended to sow fear, create disruption and undermine support for Ukraine.
‘They will not succeed.’