Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
A resident of Harlow, Essex, Howard Phillips, a 65-year-old man, has been convicted of attempting to spy for what he believed to be Russian intelligence agents, according to reports from Winchester Crown Court. Allegedly, Phillips aimed to provide personal information concerning former Defence Secretary Sir Grant Shapps. However, it was disclosed in court that the agents he was liaising with, named Sasha and Dima, were actually British undercover intelligence officers. As a consequence, Phillips has been found guilty of aiding a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act and will receive his sentencing at a later time.
During the trial, the defendant’s ex-wife, Amanda Phillips, shared that her former spouse often fantasized about emulating the fictional character James Bond. She revealed that Phillips was deeply engrossed in MI5 and MI6-related content, as he was fascinated by it. In a poignant moment, Phillips stood silently in the dock as the jury delivered a unanimous decision after a period of four hours and four minutes of deliberation.
Prosecutors asserted that in October 2023, Phillips applied for a position with the UK Border Force as part of his scheme to collaborate with Russia. Subsequently, Phillips engaged in communication with the purported agents, mentioning on WhatsApp that he possessed influential connections despite being semi-retired. He went on to meet them in London as well as at Lakeside Shopping Centre in West Thurrock, Essex, where he made peculiar requests such as substituting “mother” for “Moscow,” indicating he hoped “mother” would express her profound gratitude for his efforts. Additionally, Phillips bragged to the agents about his possession of Sir Grant Shapps’ home address, a detail that was contested by prosecutors.
According to Bethan David, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s counter-terrorism division, Phillips explicitly detailed his willingness to render services to a hostile foreign entity, emphasizing his unwavering loyalty and commitment. David further condemned Phillips for prioritizing financial gain over the potential harm to his nation, stating that individuals posing a threat to the UK will be held accountable. Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb has remanded Phillips until his sentencing in the upcoming autumn
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.