RN submariner faces secrets charge

A 29-year-old Ministry of Defence official is accused of breaching the Official Secrets Act
8 March 2012

A Royal Navy submariner has appeared in court charged with breaching the Official Secrets Act.

Petty Officer Edward Devenney, 29, from Northern Ireland, appeared in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court accused of communicating information on January 28 this year which could be deemed to be useful to an enemy of the state.

He was arrested by officers in Plymouth on Tuesday morning before being charged on Wednesday night.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman earlier said a number of searches had been carried out in connection with the arrest which were now complete.

Devenney, dressed in a blue polo shirt and jeans, spoke only to confirm his name and age during the short hearing.

He was represented by Lord Alex Carlile QC.

Devenney did not enter a plea to the charge of disclosing information gained in contravention of section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1911.

District Judge Daphne Wickham remanded him in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on June 14. District Judge Wickham said : "On this one charge you are being sent to the Central Criminal Court for your trial. You will remain in custody."

Prosecutor Mari Reid told the court Devenney was based at HMS Drake in Plymouth.

Lord Carlile QC, the former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, told the district judge the seaman was well educated and understood the seriousness of the matter.

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