U.Ok. jury finds man, who dreamt of being James Bond, responsible of trying to spy for Russia

A British man who dreamt of being like James Bond was convicted on Tuesday (July 22, 2025) of trying to spy for Russia.

Howard Phillips, 65, sought to go details about former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps to 2 males he believed had been Russian brokers. Nonetheless, the brokers had been undercover British intelligence brokers.

A jury at Winchester Crown Courtroom discovered Phillips responsible of aiding what he believed to be a overseas intelligence company. The unanimous verdict got here after 4 hours of deliberations.

He was remanded into custody and will likely be sentenced within the fall. No exact date was set.

Prosecutors stated Phillips provided to show over Shapps’ contact particulars in addition to the placement the place he saved his non-public airplane to “facilitate the Russians in listening on British defence plans”.

The defendant’s ex-wife advised the courtroom that Phillips “would dream about being like James Bond,” and watched movies in regards to the British secret companies as a result of he was “infatuated with it”.

Bethan David, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s counterterrorism division, stated the conviction sends a transparent message to anybody contemplating spying for Russia.

“Phillips was brazen in his pursuit for monetary acquire, and unbothered in regards to the potential detriment to his personal nation,” Mr. David stated.