Former MI5 Contractor Sectioned After Leaking Secrets to Foreign Power
Juan Joseph, a 43-year-old former government IT contractor for MI5, has been detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act after being found not guilty by reason of insanity. The verdict followed a week-long trial at the Old Bailey in March, where Joseph was accused of repeatedly leaking sensitive information to a foreign power.
Diagnosis and Court Proceedings
During a Wednesday hearing at the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Hilliard ordered Joseph's detention under sections 37 and 41 of the Mental Health Act. The judge stated, "I accept that Mr Joseph would not have done what he did if he had not been mentally ill." He added that Joseph had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and did not possess a "guilty mind" or understand that his actions were wrong.
Four psychiatrists involved in the case unanimously agreed that Joseph should receive a restricted hospital order. Prosecuting barrister Ms Jocelyn Ledward KC warned that if Joseph became unwell again, there was a "high risk" of similar conduct. Dr Michael Kavuma testified that Joseph was in an early stage of treatment and did not yet grasp the seriousness of his actions or the importance of receiving medical care.
Background and Employment at MI5
Jurors heard that Joseph held the highest vetting clearance during his 11-year tenure at MI5, where he worked as a systems engineer, security IT management engineer, and senior support engineer. His contract was terminated in October 2020 after he was taken to St Thomas's Hospital in London, displaying symptoms described by colleagues as "mental fragility," "extreme anxiety," and "paranoia." Joseph discharged himself before assessment and later claimed at a termination meeting that he had been "victimised" and "gaslit."
He also made a series of unfounded complaints against MI5, including allegations of racist treatment and "highly disturbing" claims involving rape, child abuse, and torture. Mr Justice Hilliard ordered the trial to be conducted largely behind closed doors to avoid potential damage to national security.
Leak Attempts and Arrest
The court detailed Joseph's attempts to leak information. In 2024, after a failed bid to bring a private prosecution for assault in 2019, he began copying an email linked to a foreign state into his communications. On 8 December 2024, Joseph travelled to Riga, Latvia, where he sent two emails requesting a meeting at a foreign embassy. Upon his return to Gatwick Airport on 15 December, he was stopped by police and refused to hand over codes to seven digital devices, claiming he was an MI5 officer requiring authorisation.
On 13 January 2025, Joseph copied in a foreign state in another email complaining about his treatment by police at Gatwick. His arrest occurred at an Ibis Hotel on 30 January 2025, where he maintained he was an "armed MI5 officer," and a lock knife was found in his pocket. A search of his home in Sutton, south London, revealed a homemade card falsely identifying him as an MI5 officer.
Previous Incidents and Final Verdict
During police interviews, Joseph claimed to be a "whistleblower" who had done nothing wrong and passed polygraph tests. He also asserted he was a black belt in taekwondo with training in ninja-style knife and sword techniques at Thames House, MI5's headquarters, and was permitted to carry a blade for defence. The prosecution disclosed that Joseph was arrested in early 2022 on similar charges, but no further action was taken after a mental health assessment found him not "sufficiently unwell" to remain hospitalized.
Joseph denied four charges under the Official Secrets and National Security Acts, as well as possessing an article with a blade or point, but declined to give evidence in his defence. He was cleared of all charges by reason of insanity and has received a hospital order, resulting in his indefinite detention at Broadmoor Hospital.
