Date set for espionage trial

BAe Systems is a leading defence equipment maker

A date has been set for the trial of the defence worker accused of offering to sell top secret information to Russia.

Ian Parr, 45, from Rochford, Essex, worked as a test co-ordinator at British Aerospace Systems, Basildon.

His trial is due to begin at the Old Bailey on 6 January 2003.

Mr Parr is alleged to have offered documents to a man claiming to be from the Russian Embassy.

Mr Parr worked for BAe Systems in Basildon

The offences are said to have happened while Mr Parr was working for BAe Systems and Avionics based in Basildon, Essex.

The former soldier and father-of-two is accused of nine charges under the Official Secrets Act of obtaining information "prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state" between 1 January and 23 March of this year.

He is also accused of stealing a CD-Rom containing sensitive data relating to the Hostile Artillery Locator (Halo) project.

Mr Parr, a former test co-ordinator for BAe, was arrested in Southend on 22 March in a joint operation involving police and the security services.

The charges Mr Parr faces carry a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

BAe Systems and Avionics employs 1,300 people and is one of the UK's leading suppliers of civil and military electronic systems.