Ex-Defence Worker Jailed For Disclosing 'Damaging' Secret Missile Details

A former defence worker has been jailed for four-and-a-half years for disclosing "damaging" secret details of a UK missile system.

Simon Finch, 50, could have put military personnel in jeopardy if the leaked classified material had fallen into enemy hands, the Old Bailey was told.

He pleaded guilty to recording and disclosing classified information, in breach of the Official Secrets Act, after a senior judge rejected his defence of "duress by circumstance".

Finch, who had some autistic traits, also admitted failing to give authorities access codes to three electronic devices.

Sentencing on Tuesday, Mrs Justice Whipple said: "This was serious offending which damaged the interest of the UK Government and its citizens."

Finch, who had become disillusioned by British authorities, had not been under any "fear” or “pressure" as he put together classified information from memory and emailed it.

The judge at the Old Bailey said: "These were carefully planned and deliberate offences.

"You have no justification either legal or moral for what you did."

On the harm caused, the judge said: "There is the potential compromise of the missile system itself.

"If classified details about the workings of the missile fall into enemy hands, that might diminish the operational effectiveness of the missile system.

"That puts in jeopardy those United Kingdom servicemen and women who may be engaged in combat operations relying on the missile system.

"It puts in jeopardy members of the public whom the United Kingdom seeks to protect by its military operations."

She added there was a "wider harm to the reputation of the United Kingdom".

Mrs Justice Whipple made Finch subject to a five-year serious crime and prevention order aimed at stopping him from disclosing any more classified information stored in his "near-photographic" memory.

The Old Bailey had heard how Finch’s life began to unravel after he reported being the victim of homophobic attacks in 2013.

Referring to his treatment by Merseyside Police in 2013, he wrote: "Since the UK has refused me any justice, compensation, or even treatment for these appalling crimes then it has no right to expect my loyalty.

"It is particularly foolish to do this to someone who works upon classified systems, particularly if they are somewhat autistic and have a near-photographic memory.

"If the nation does not care for my security then why should I care for national security?"

In 2018, Finch sent an email containing secret defence information to eight people, which he also claimed to have shared with "hostile" foreign states.

Giving evidence in court, Finch told jurors: "I had to do something to generate national exposure.

"It had to be quite serious."

He denied having actually leaked the document to hostile states.

The mathematics graduate had worked for BAE Systems and QinetiQ which provide contracted services to the Ministry of Defence (MOD), as well as the MOD itself in the "distant past".

In mitigation, Stuart Trimmer QC told how Finch’s attempts to pursue his complaint against police had left him "at the end of his tether".

He said: "The events, whether true or not, are in his mind fixed and real."

Parts of the Old Bailey trial were held in secret in the national interest to prevent the disclosure of the material and jurors were warned "never ever" to reveal what they had heard in the absence of press and public.

Cover image: Simon Finch (Picture: Metropolitan Police).