Fake admiral addressed military parade and has been fined

A man who posed as a rear admiral addressed a 2019 military parade while wearing medals later identified as unearned; he pleaded guilty and was fined, and his uniform and medals were seized and destroyed.

Jonathan Carley, a former private school teacher, addressed a commemorative parade in 2019 while wearing a naval uniform and several medals later found to be unearned. He had presented himself at public remembrance events over a number of years in the uniform. Carley pleaded guilty at Llandudno magistrates' court to wearing dress bearing the mark of His Majesty's forces without permission. The court fined him and ordered the seizure and destruction of the uniform and medals. Known details: - Video from 2019 shows him giving a short speech at an event marking the 140th anniversary of the Battle of Rorke's Drift. - He had for years appeared in a rear admiral's uniform and claimed military service, though records show no Royal Navy service at sea. - Carley pleaded guilty to the offence of wearing uniform or dress bearing the mark of His Majesty's forces without permission and was fined £500, with prosecution costs and a surcharge also ordered. - The uniform, ceremonial sword and medals were seized and destroyed, and court reporting included comments that the conduct disrespected those who had served. Summary: The magistrates' court concluded the matter with a fine, additional financial penalties, and seizure and destruction of the items involved. Officials and the court described the conduct as disrespectful to those who had served. Undetermined at this time.