Jonathan Carley, 65, from Harlech, Gwynedd, claimed that he wanted a ‘sense of belonging’ by wearing a uniform bearing the mark of His Majesty’s Forces. But he was condemned by magistrates at he appeared before them in Llandudno
A ‘fake’ admiral told police “I’ve been expecting you” after he admitted wearing a naval uniform without permission at a Remembrance Sunday event, a court heard today. Jonathan Carley, 65, from Harlech, Gwynedd, claimed that he wanted a ‘sense of belonging’ by wearing the uniform. But he was condemned by magistrates at he appeared before them in Llandudno charged with wearing uniform/dress bearing the mark of His Majesty’s Forces without permission.
The court heard Carley wore the uniform at the Remembrance Sunday event in Llandudno on November 9. He later told police the naval uniform was issued to him legitimately when he was in the cadets.
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But he had rear admiral rings added by a tailor and he had bought medals online. District Judge Gwyn Jones fined Carley £500 and ordered him to pay £85 towards prosecution costs and a £200 surcharge. He said: “It’s a sad reflection upon you that you chose to do such a thing on a very difficult day for so many.” James Neary, prosecuting, said at the “well attended” service, Carley wore medals including for service in Iraq and Syria and approached organisers to introduce himself.
He said: “The defendant was allowed to lay a wreath. He did so, he saluted and stood among other dignitaries.” His photograph later went viral on social media and when he was arrested on November 14, he told police: “I’ve been expecting you.”
In interview, he told police he had wanted a sense of “belonging and affirmation”. It is believed Carley‘s only service was a stint in the combined cadet force when he taught at Cheltenham and Shiplake Colleges.
Public records in the London Gazette show he was commissioned into the reserves as a 2nd Lt (on Probation). That is the lowest officer rank, and his name appeared in July 1991.
He had also claimed to have studied at Oxford University and Harvard before teaching at Eton. Princes William and Harry, Boris Johnson and David Cameron were all pupils there. Police made checks after his photo appeared on social media.
