A 65-year-old man has been fined after dressing as a Royal Navy admiral without permission at a Remembrance Sunday ceremony in north Wales. Jonathan Carley, of Harlech, pleaded guilty at Llandudno magistrates court to wearing uniform bearing the mark of His Majesty’s forces without authorisation.
Carley was ordered to pay a £500 fine, £85 costs and a £200 victim surcharge, totalling £785. The court heard he wore a uniform resembling that of a Royal Navy admiral, complete with medals bought online and customised sleeve rings, despite never holding such a rank.
District judge Gwyn Jones told Carley his actions had been “foolish” and “disrespectful” to those who served and died. “You were there not as a genuine person, but as someone who came to deceive,” the judge said. “Your actions totally disrespect the memories of all those persons who have fallen.”
The incident occurred on 9 November 2025 in Llandudno, where Carley was seen walking in formation to the war memorial and saluting. Suspicion grew after photos of him in the uniform circulated online, and organisers confirmed no such rank was due to attend. When approached by police, Carley said, “I’ve been expecting you.”
His lawyer, Mark Haslam, said Carley had wanted “a sense of belonging and affirmation” and had been “publicly humiliated”. He added: “He seriously underestimated the anxiety, anger and distress that his actions have caused a large number of people.”
