Swindon man denies Russian sabotage plot charges in court
Joshua Camidge, 31, appeared in court accused of planning sabotage for Russian intelligence; he denied all charges and was remanded.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A 31-year-old man from Swindon has appeared in court accused of planning sabotage on behalf of Russian intelligence. Joshua Camidge appeared before Westminster Magistrates Court, where he denied all charges against him.
Camidge is charged under the National Security Act, which was introduced in 2023 to protect the UK from acts of sabotage, espionage and foreign interference. The court heard that he is accused of having contact with the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group linked to Russia's military intelligence service.
Prosecutors alleged that Camidge planned an act of sabotage, specifically setting fire to a drone manufacturing site in the Swindon area. The court was told that four potential addresses were discussed in an online conversation he had been having with a friend. He is also accused of researching a Wi-Fi jamming device.
Camidge, who wore a grey tracksuit and briefly confirmed his name at the start of the hearing, was interviewed by police and strenuously denied any wrongdoing. He has been remanded in custody until 25 September, when he will next appear at the Old Bailey.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One | ITV |
|---|---|---|
| The man was charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and planning an act of sabotage on behalf of Russia. | ||
| Joshua Camidge denied all charges against him. | · | |
| Joshua Camidge was accused of planning to set fire to a drone manufacturing site in the Swindon area. | · | |
| Joshua Camidge was remanded in custody until 25 September. | · | |
| The prosecution alleged that Camidge researched four drone manufacturing sites and a Wi-Fi jamming device. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The BBC provided the most detailed account of the court appearance, including the specific charge of planning to set fire to a drone manufacturing site, the four addresses discussed, and the link to the GRU Volunteer Corps. It also gave context on the National Security Act and confirmed the denial and remand date.
- “He is accused of planning an act of sabotage with plans to set fire to a drone manufacturing site in the Swindon area.”
- “He has been remanded in custody until the 25th of September when he will next appear at the Old Bailey.”
ITV gave a shorter summary of the case, focusing on the formal charge of assisting a foreign intelligence service and the alleged research into drone sites and a Wi-Fi jamming device. It also linked the story to other national security arrests, presenting it as part of a broader pattern of foreign interference cases.
- “A British man has appeared in court charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and intending to commit or engage in conduct to prepare an act of sabotage on behalf of Russia.”
- “Joshua Camage appeared before Westminster Magistrate Court today where the prosecution alleged the 31-year-old researched four drone manufacturing sites in Swindon as well as a Wi-Fi jamming device.”
Broadcast Timeline
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