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MI5 contractor who gave intelligence to foreign power 'was insane'
Juan Joseph was found not guilty due to paranoid schizophrenia after disclosing classified intelligence to a foreign embassy; jurors deliberated less than three hours, court ordered continued psychiatric care.
- On Friday the Old Bailey jury returned a not guilty by reason of insanity verdict for the MI5 contractor after Mr Justice Hilliard said experts agreed he was in the grip of mental illness.
- Juan Joseph, a former MI5 contractor, developed schizophrenia in October 2020 and had his contract terminated; he pursued unfounded grievances through private prosecution and judicial review before triggering unauthorised disclosures.
- Records indicate he had Developed Vetting and could access 'information of the highest classification' after contacting a foreign embassy in November 2024 and emailing Riga in December 2024, when stopped at Gatwick Airport.
- Remanded to Broadmoor Hospital, Joseph will continue psychiatric treatment, and Mr Justice Hilliard set a hearing for 15 April to ensure he receives needed care.
- The trial was unusual because parts were held in closed sessions at the Old Bailey to protect national security, with MI5's former head of HR warning Joseph's mental fragility was concerning.
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Former-MI5 worker cleared over leaks to foreign power by reason of insanity
Mr Justice Hilliard had ordered the week-long trial at the Old Bailey to be heard largely behind closed doors. A disgruntled former MI5 employee has been cleared of breaching the Official Secrets Act by repeatedly leaking sensitive information to a foreign power because he was mentally unwell at the time. Former government IT contractor Juan Joseph, 43, emailed the foreign state and even travelled to Latvia attempting to arrange a meeting at an …
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Total News Sources4
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
L 33%
C 67%
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