Archive · 7 Nov 2025
British Man Jailed for Sharing Official's Details with Fake Russian Agents
A man named Howard Phillips, who is 66 years old, will go to jail for seven years.
He gave secret details about a top government minister, Grant Shapps, to people he thought were spies from Russia.
Howard Phillips was caught because security services knew these people weren't real Russian spies but were actually undercover officers trying to catch him.
He gave them a USB stick with the minister's home address and where his private plane was.
He hid this USB stick in a bicycle seat.
The court said he did this because he needed money.
However, Howard Phillips said he was just pretending and actually wanted to expose the spies and help another country, Israel.
His ex-wife said he always liked stories about spies.
The judge told him he was willing to betray his country for money and was lucky he was caught before he could cause real harm.
Howard Phillips, 66, has been sentenced to seven years in prison.
He was convicted of assisting a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act.
Phillips shared personal information, including a minister's address and plane location, with undercover officers posing as Russian agents.
Prosecutors stated Phillips was motivated by financial gain, while he claimed he was trying to expose the agents.
The security services intercepted Phillips before he could provide material assistance to a foreign intelligence service.
- Who
- Howard Phillips, 66
- What
- Sentenced to seven years in prison for sharing personal information of former UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps with individuals he believed to be Russian agents.
- When
- Arrested in May 2024, sentenced after conviction in July.
- Where
- Information shared included Shapps' home address and private plane location; Phillips met undercover officers in West Thurrock, Essex; sentenced at Winchester Crown Court.
- Why
- Prosecution stated he was motivated by financial gain and seeking 'easy money'. Phillips claimed he was trying to expose the agents and benefit Israel.
Phillips' Claim
Prosecution's Stance
Motivation for Actions
Phillips' Claim
Phillips claimed he was pretending to work with the agents to expose them and pass information to Israel.
Prosecution's Stance
Phillips was motivated by financial gain ('easy money') and was prepared to betray his country for money, not ideology.
Personal Interests
Phillips' Claim
He had a long-standing obsession with espionage stories and dreamed of being like James Bond.
Prosecution's Stance
His financial struggles and job application for UK Border Force indicated a desire for money.
- Name
- Howard Phillips
- Age
- 66
- Sentence
- 7 years
- Conviction
- Assisting a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act
- Arrest Date
- May 2024
- Location
- Harlow, Essex