Over nine years, Blake handed over information that led to the betrayal of some 40 MI6 agents in Eastern Europe. Here's some more detail on what happened in Blake's case: Mr Justice Wall said the level of harm in Smith's case was high, but not the highest level - unlike Blake, who was handed a 42-year sentence. The judge concluded it was not up to him to decide where Smith serves his sentence, which could be in the UK or Germany.ĭuring David Smith's sentencing we heard the judge reference George Blake - the former MI6 officer and Soviet spy. "Your mitigation lies solely in your previous good character," he told Smith, saying "tangible and ascertainable harms" were caused by his activities. He told Smith that during his "subversive activities," dating back to 2018, he had copied a "significant amount of material" for the Russians. "You were fully aware that.were these documents to get into the wrong hands, they might harm British interests or pose a threat to those working at the British embassy," the judge said. His claims that he was not paid nor intended to cause harm to the UK were dismissed by the judge. Smith, whose subterfuge was uncovered during a sting operation in 2021, pleaded guilty to eight charges under the Official Secrets Act. The Old Bailey heard that the 58-year-old Scot was paid by Russia for his "treachery" in betraying his country by selling secrets to Russia while working as a security guard in the British embassy in Berlin. "Your motive in assisting was to damage British interests," Mr Justice Wall told Smith. Here's a reminder of the judge's comments to David Smith as he sentenced him to 13 years and two months in prison for spying for Russia.
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