'Delusional' man claimed to be MI6 agent as he tried to get into major spy base

09 March 2024 , 14:26

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Christian Sollitt drove to RAF Menwith Hill near Harrogate with his driving license (Image: Yorkshire Live)

A man tried to get security clearance at a major UK spy base in Yorkshire after posing as an MI6 agent.

Armed with a collection of weapons, including a machete and a crossbow, 44-year-old Christian Sollitt drove to RAF Menwith Hill near Harrogate with his driving licence. He walked up to a police officer at the missile-warning base and "asked if he could speak with somebody as he was working as an MoD guards service officer."

York Crown Court heard that Sollitt told the officer he was "carrying out investigations into terrorism" and wanted to discuss obtaining a pass into the base. Prosecutor Oliver Connor said: "He said he was an MI6 agent working under cover and in need of assistance. When he was asked for identification, he handed over his UK driving licence."

The "MI6 agent" claimed he had met the Queen several times and had been discussing how to "stop nuclear power." He also told the officer that he needed "body armour" and was looking for "more weapons" at the MoD-run air base. He handed over two knives to the officer and told him he also had a crossbow in his car boot.

After a police search of his vehicle, a Samurai sword was found in the front passenger seat, a large black machete in the boot and a black carbon-fibre crossbow. Now busted, Sollitt was charged with three counts of possessing an offensive weapon and four counts of carrying a bladed article in a public place.

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Christian tried to use his driving license to gain access to an MI6 spy base in Yorkshire (Getty Images)

He denied the allegations but was found guilty of the four counts of carrying blades following a three-day trial in November. He was acquitted of the three counts of possessing offensive weapons after the jury concluded he wasn’t carrying the items with maleficent intent or to do harm, according to YorkshireLive.

Sollitt, of Keighley, West Yorkshire, had a “delusional disorder” which would have informed his “bizarre” behaviour at the air base, the court heard. Judge Mr A Hatton said it was clear Sollitt was still labouring under a mental disorder which would require treatment from mental-health services.

He also noted that Sollitt had been "calm and co-operative" with police and had never been in trouble before. Sollitt was given an 18-month community order with up to 25 days’ rehabilitation activity.

Tom Kershaw