Fake Admiral Jonathan Carley Fined £500 for Impersonating Royal Navy Officer
Llandudno, 5 January 2026 – Jonathan Carley, a 65-year-old former private school teacher from Harlech, Gwynedd, pleaded guilty at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court to wearing a Royal Navy uniform and medals without permission at a Remembrance Sunday event on 9 November 2025. He was fined £500, ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £200 surcharge.
The Incident and Investigation
Carley attended the wreath-laying ceremony in Llandudno dressed as a rear admiral, complete with epaulettes, sleeve lace and a range of medals, including the Distinguished Service Order – one of the rarest in the Royal Navy – and awards for service in Iraq and Syria. He introduced himself to organisers as a representative of the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd and laid a wreath alongside other dignitaries.
Suspicions arose due to his ceremonial sword and the medals, which were deemed inappropriate for someone of that rank. Serving and former Royal Navy personnel, including Rear Admiral Dr Chris Parry, noted the inconsistencies. Photographs of Carley went viral on social media, leading to reports to police. He was arrested on 14 November 2025 at his home, where he told officers: “I’ve been expecting you.” The uniform and medals were found in his car and subsequently destroyed.
In a police interview, Carley admitted he had modified a legitimate cadet uniform by adding rear admiral insignia via a tailor and purchasing medals online. He claimed he sought a “sense of belonging and affirmation” but had no actual military service beyond a stint in the Combined Cadet Force during his teaching days at Cheltenham and Shiplake Colleges.
Key Facts and Court Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name and Age | Jonathan Carley, 65 |
| Offence | Wearing uniform or dress bearing the mark of His Majesty’s Forces without permission |
| Location of Incident | Llandudno Remembrance Sunday event, 9 November 2025 |
| Court Appearance | Llandudno Magistrates’ Court, 5 January 2026 |
| Plea | Guilty |
| Penalty | £500 fine, £85 costs, £200 surcharge |
| Motivation | Seeking a sense of belonging and affirmation |
| Prior Appearances | Similar impersonations at Remembrance events in Caernarfon (2018, 2019) and Llandudno (2021, 2024) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Jonathan Carley’s background?
Carley was a former private school teacher who had no official military service in the Royal Navy. His only connection was a brief involvement in the Combined Cadet Force while teaching at schools in England.
How was he caught?
Suspicions were raised by his unusual sword, rare medals like the Distinguished Service Order, and inconsistencies in his uniform. Social media images went viral, prompting an investigation by police and Royal Navy veterans.
What was the legal basis for the charge?
He was charged under a 19th-century law prohibiting the unauthorised wearing of military uniforms. There is no specific law against wearing fake medals, but the uniform violation was sufficient for prosecution.
Has Carley appeared in similar events before?
Yes, he had impersonated a rear admiral at Remembrance parades in North Wales since at least 2018, including events in Caernarfon and Llandudno.