UK defence worker on spy charges

Parr will appear in court charged under the Official Secrets Act

LONDON, England (CNN) -- A British defence worker has been charged with nine counts of spying under the Official Secrets Act.

British national Ian Parr, from Essex, southern England, was arrested on Friday and charged on Saturday night after a joint operation involving police and the security services.

Parr, 45, who works for defence equipment manufacturer BAE Systems in Basildon, Essex, is being held in custody and is due to appear at Bow Street Magistrates Court in London, on Monday.

In a statement, Essex Police said the man was arrested "following a joint operation between Essex police and the security service."

The statement went on: "The British national was arrested in Southend on Friday afternoon and questioned throughout the course of Saturday.

"The charges relate to nine offences under section one of the Official Secrets Act 1911 and one under the Theft Act 1968.

"The BAE Systems employee will appear at Southend Magistrates Court on Monday morning after he was refused bail."

The man is alleged to have obtained documents and information prejudicial to the interests of the state, which were intended to be passed on to "an enemy", a police spokesman said. He would not specify the alleged destination of the material.

The Official Secrets Act charges carry a maximum sentence of 14 years each. The act relates specifically to security and intelligence matters in the UK.

People subject to it are either members of the security and intelligence services, or those notified they have been made subject to the provisions of the act.

Under section one it is an offence to, without lawful authority, disclose any information, document or other article relating to security or intelligence that may be damaging to the security of the nation or the work of the intelligence services.

BAE Systems Avionics, one of the largest companies of its kind in Europe, produces civil and military electronic systems, including radar for fighter jets like the Tornado and Sea Harrier.

It also makes digital terrain navigation systems, helmet-mounted displays and sights, target and detection systems, night bombing equipment, tracking systems and night vision goggles.