A 65-year-old man has been ordered to pay close to £800 after admitting to wearing a Royal Navy admiral’s uniform without authorisation during a Remembrance Sunday ceremony.
Jonathan Carley was fined £500 after pleading guilty to unlawfully wearing clothing associated with His Majesty’s armed forces. In addition to the fine, he was told to pay £85 in court costs and a £200 victim surcharge when he appeared before Llandudno Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
While delivering judgment, District Judge Gwyn Jones acknowledged that Carley laid a wreath in a respectful manner but described his conduct as misguided and deeply disrespectful to service members, particularly those who lost their lives in active duty.
The judge said the event should have been a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces and their families, adding that Carley’s actions amounted to deception rather than genuine remembrance. He stressed that impersonating a senior officer dishonoured the memory of fallen soldiers and caused distress on a day that carries deep emotional significance.
The court was told that Carley, who lives in Harlech, north Wales, attended the Remembrance Sunday event in Llandudno on 9 November 2025 wearing a uniform styled to resemble that of a Royal Navy admiral, despite never having held such a rank.
Although Carley told police that the original uniform had been legitimately issued to him during his time as a cadet years earlier, he admitted altering it by adding medals purchased online and having rear admiral insignia sewn on by a tailor.
Witnesses saw him march towards the war memorial in formation, salute the monument and later leave the area. Concerns were raised after images and videos of him in the admiral-style uniform circulated online, prompting Llandudno Town Council to confirm that no senior naval officer had been scheduled to attend the ceremony.
Prosecutor James Neary told the court that Carley wore medals linked to conflicts in Iraq and Syria and had introduced himself to event organisers while also walking alongside a genuine military veteran during the wreath-laying.
When later approached by police, Carley reportedly told officers he had been expecting them. During questioning, he admitted pretending to be a senior officer because he sought a feeling of acceptance and validation, insisting his actions were meant to be respectful.
Defence lawyer Mark Haslam described the case as tragic, citing Carley’s ongoing physical and mental health challenges. He added that his client had suffered public embarrassment and accepted that wearing the uniform and medals was entirely wrong.
Haslam said Carley had underestimated the emotional harm his actions would cause, noting that he now fully understands the anger and distress felt by members of the public and the armed forces community.
