An intense hatred for his nation motivated a security guard who spied for Russia at the British embassy in Berlin, according to testimony given in court.
The 58-year-old British man David Ballantyne Smith admitted guilt to eight charges last year but went back to court to defend himself.
Smith is accused of receiving payment in exchange for his information.
He claims he was not paid, was driven by a workplace grievance, and had mental health issues.
2016 saw Smith start a job at the embassy. According to the court, his behavior changed after his wife returned to her native Ukraine in the latter part of 2018.
Smith, according to prosecutor Alison Morgan KC, changed from being "keen and polite" to expressing negative views toward the UK and Germany.
Smith expressed opinions about the conflict in the Ukraine, backed Russia, and gathered World War II German uniforms, Morgan further testified before the court.
From about 2018, the court was informed, Smith started gathering sensitive information from the embassy and storing it on a USB stick.
After an inspection of his devices, footage from the embassy and a draft letter to a Russian military attache, both dated May 14, 2020, were discovered.
He acknowledged working for the embassy in the letter and asked for anonymity in order to offer a book that was deemed to be "officially sensitive.".
Additionally, there were whiteboards and posters in the embassy, photos of staff security passes and personal information, as well as "secret" classified emails and documents.
Smith's letter from November 2020 to a military staffer at the Russian Embassy in Berlin, which suggested ongoing communication, served as the impetus for an undercover operation.
Smith was given the chance to acquire "highly sensitive information" regarding a person by the name of "Dmitry" during the covert operation. Smith was told "Dmitry" was a Russian citizen assisting the UK.
Then "Irina," an undercover agent impersonating a Russian intelligence service agent, approached Smith.
In August 2021, following his conversation with "Irina," the scope of his four-year-long activities was revealed. In his Potsdam, Germany, home, $700 in cash was discovered.
Smith was met by German police at his home on the day of his arrest after leaving work early and complaining of feeling unwell.
Following an investigation by British counterterrorism police, a request for his extradition to the UK was made in November 2021. In April 2022, Smith returned to the UK.
Smith could spend as much as 14 years behind bars. The judge will sentence him on Friday.
