A man pretending to be a naval officer greeted police with “I’ve been expecting you” after confessing to wearing a fake uniform at a Remembrance Sunday ceremony, a court revealed today. Jonathan Carley, 65, of Harlech, Gwynedd, admitted to donning the unauthorized attire to feel a sense of belonging. However, magistrates in Llandudno reprimanded him for wearing military dress without permission.
Carley was spotted wearing the fake naval uniform at the Llandudno Remembrance Sunday event on November 9. He claimed the uniform was originally issued to him during his time in the cadets. Nonetheless, he had embellished it with rear admiral insignias and purchased medals online.
District Judge Gwyn Jones imposed a £500 fine on Carley, along with a requirement to pay £85 for prosecution costs and a £200 surcharge. He criticized Carley, stating, “It’s a sad reflection on you to choose such actions on a solemn day for many.” During the well-attended service, Carley, flaunting medals for service in Iraq and Syria, mingled with event organizers.
Carley was permitted to lay a wreath and stood alongside other dignitaries, saluting during the ceremony. Subsequently, his photo circulated widely on social media, leading to his arrest on November 14, where he cryptically told police, “I’ve been expecting you.”
In his statement to the authorities, Carley expressed a desire for belonging and validation. Records from the London Gazette indicated his commission as a 2nd Lt (on Probation) in the reserves in July 1991, denoting his lowest officer rank.
Additionally, Carley falsely claimed to have attended Oxford University and Harvard before teaching at prestigious institutions like Eton, where notable figures such as Princes William and Harry, Boris Johnson, and David Cameron were once students. Police initiated investigations following the dissemination of his photo on social platforms.