A British man whose James Bond fantasies led him to attempt espionage for Russia has been sentenced to seven years in prison.
The Failed Spy Operation
Howard Phillips, 65, was found guilty in July after trying to pass sensitive information about former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps to individuals he believed were Russian intelligence agents. The operation took place between the end of 2023 and May 2024, during Shapps' tenure as defence secretary.
Unbeknownst to Phillips, the supposed Russian agents were actually undercover operatives from British intelligence. At his sentencing hearing at Winchester Crown Court, Justice Bobbie Cheema-Grubb told Phillips: "You were prepared to betray your country for money."
A Personality Driven by Fantasy
The court heard compelling evidence about Phillips' motivations. His ex-wife revealed that he "would dream about being like James Bond" and was infatuated with films about British secret services.
Justice Cheema-Grubb described Phillips as having "a personality with narcissistic tendencies and an overblown sense of his own importance." This characterization explained why he believed he could successfully operate as a spy.
Serious Security Breach Attempt
The specific information Phillips attempted to hand over included:
- Grant Shapps' personal contact details
- The location where Shapps kept his private plane
This information was intended to "facilitate the Russians in listening on British defence plans," according to evidence presented at the trial.
In a victim impact statement, Shapps expressed his shock, recalling having dinner at Phillips' home in 2002. He stated: "What is unacceptable is one individual's reckless behaviour exposing my entire family to the extremely serious risks that come from a foreign intelligence service's activities."
Clear Message to Would-Be Spies
Bethan David, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Counter Terrorism Division, emphasized that this conviction sends "a clear message to anyone considering spying for or assisting Russia."
The sentencing on Friday, 7th November 2025, marks the conclusion of a case that highlights the ongoing threat of espionage and the importance of vigilance in national security matters.
