Man denies Russian plot to 'torch' drone factories
Joshua Cammidge, 31, is alleged to have been tasked with locating drone manufacturing sites in Wiltshire.
A man has denied plotting to “torch” drone factories in the UK on behalf of Russia’s intelligence services in an alleged sabotage scheme.
Joshua Cammidge, from Swindon in Wiltshire, is accused of researching four drone manufacturing sites in the town and carrying out reconnaissance.
On Friday, prosecutors told the Old Bailey that the 31-year-old was in contact with a British national fighting for Russia in Ukraine, to whom he “offered to conduct sabotage” at the sites.
A three-week trial has been listed to begin in April 2027 at Winchester Crown Court.
Cammidge, of Galsworthy Close, appeared at the Old Bailey by video-link from HMP Wandsworth, charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and intending to commit or engage in conduct to prepare an act of sabotage.
Prosecutor Sarah Przybylska told the court that Cammidge was in contact in Ukraine with Aiden Minnis, also from Wiltshire, in August and September.
She said Minnis “tasked the defendant with locating drone manufacturing sites in the UK”.
Przybylska added that Minnis discussed “sabotaging” those sites with the defendant.
Cammidge allegedly sent Minnis the coordinates of the sites and “offered to conduct sabotage” against them, the court heard.
“It was clear that it was to assist the Russian war effort,” the prosecution said.
Giving Cammidge’s indication of a not guilty plea, defence lawyer John Oliver said: “There was no intention [for the defendant] to assist or take part in sabotage or for anyone else to do so.
“Communications in which he engaged were nothing more than a waste of time and are not to be taken seriously.”
The trial is scheduled for 19 April 2027, and Cammidge is due to appear again in January for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Cammidge, a father-of-one, was arrested by Counter Terrorism Policing London officers, with support from Wiltshire Police, at an address in Swindon on 4 September.
He was taken to a London police station while searches were carried out at another address in Swindon.
On 5 September, Cammidge was detained under the National Security Act 2023 on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.
When questioned by police, he strongly denied all the allegations against him.
The charges say that between 27 March and 5 September, Cammidge allegedly supplied a Google Maps screenshot showing a drone factory with a blue circle marking a specific location, and provided two Google screenshots showing the addresses of four drone manufacturing sites in Swindon.
It is also alleged that he gave further details about activity at one factory and volunteered to commit an act of sabotage.
He is accused of researching a WiFi jamming device and is said to have carried out “reconnaissance”.
The Crown Prosecution Service previously said the person Cammidge was believed to be in contact with was from the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group controlled by Russia’s intelligence services.
In July, the UK 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.