A BRIT plotted to “torch” a UK drone factory on behalf of Russia, a court has heard.

Joshua Cammidge, 31, is accused of researching four drone factories in Swindon and a Wi-Fi jamming device while making his plans.

British man charged over alleged contact with Russia's military intelligence agencyCammidge was dressed in a prison tracksuit when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court Credit: SWNS NINTCHDBPICT001107135429Joshua Cammidge has been accused of plotting to sabotage a UK drone factory for Russia Credit: Wiltshire Police

It is alleged he sent Google Maps screenshots of UK drone factories to a contact linked to Russia’s military intelligence service.

Prosecutors claim he had been in touch with someone linked to the GRU Volunteer Corps on Facebook before he was arrested.

The GRU is the Russian military intelligence service suspected of trying to kill Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in the Salisbury poisoning in 2018.

Innocent bystander Dawn Sturgess, 44, died after she accidentally touched a perfume bottle containing Novichok in the Wiltshire town.

Cammidge, of Swindon, moved his chat with the GRU-linked individual to encrypted messaging app Telegram after their first contact on Facebook, it is claimed.

The charges against Cammidge state that between March 27 and September 5 this year he passed over information to the apparent Kremlin spy.

This included Google Maps screenshots showing the addresses of four drone factories in Swindon – and details on the activity at one plant.

Prosecutor Warren Stanier told Westminster Magistrates’ Court today there were 58 communications between Cammidge and his contact in less than a week.

He added: “The prosecution say the essence of communications was locations within the UK of factories that manufactured drones and the sabotage of those factories.

“The prosecution case is he knew exactly who he was communicating with and the implications of what he was offering to do.”

Cammidge appeared in court wearing a prison-issue tracksuit and was flanked by two security officers in the dock.

He spoke only to confirm his personal details and did not enter a plea.

The defendant faces a count of assisting a foreign intelligence service and another of intending to commit or engage in conduct to prepare an act of sabotage.

District Judge Daniel Sternberg remanded him into custody. He will next appear at the Old Bailey on September 25.

Cammidge was arrested by counter-terror police at an address in Swindon on Friday.

He was taken to a London police station while searches were carried out at another Swindon address.

The next day he was arrested again and detained under the National Security Act 2023 on suspicion of helping a foreign spy agency.

The UK Government formally added the GRU Volunteer Corps to its national security threat list in July, making support for the group an offence.

The GRU is also sanctioned by the UK, with hackers linked to the organisation blamed for cyber attacks on Britain.