Man fined for posing as admiral at Llandudno Remembrance service

According to Independent.co, Jonathan Carley pleaded guilty to dressing up as an admiral at a Remembrance Sunday wreath-laying service in Llandudno on 9 November.

The 64-year-old from Harlech attended wearing a uniform bearing the mark of His Majesty’s Forces without permission and was arrested after his image circulated online. Prosecutor Jams Neary said that at the "well attended" service Carley wore medals including for service in Iraq and Syria, introduced himself to organisers and "was allowed to lay a wreath. He did so, he saluted and stood among other dignitaries." When arrested on 14 November he told police, "I’ve been expecting you." He later told officers the uniform was issued when he was in the cadets, that he had rear admiral rings added by a tailor and that he had bought medals online, and he said he wanted a sense of "belonging and affirmation".

At Llandudno Magistrates’ Court Carley pleaded guilty and was fined £500, ordered to pay £85 towards prosecution costs and a £200 surcharge. District Judge Gwyn Jones said: "It’s a sad reflection upon you that you chose to do such a thing on a very difficult day for so many." Defence counsel Mark Haslam called it a "very sad case", said Carley was "utterly remorseful" and read a statement in which his client apologised to those affected; Carley did not answer reporters when leaving court.

Key Topics

Culture, Jonathan Carley, Llandudno, Remembrance Sunday, His Majesty's Forces, Llandudno Magistrates' Court