A man who gatecrashed a Remembrance Day event while pretending to be a Royal Navy admiral is said to have told neighbours that he was a Nato “spy”.
Jonathan Carley, 65, allegedly boasted to them about helping the military organisation “monitor the Russians”.
The 65-year-old was spotted attending a ceremony marking fallen soldiers in Llandudno, North Wales, where he laid wreaths while dressed in a Rear Admiral’s uniform.
He also had 12 medals pinned to his jacket, despite never having actually joined the Navy.
His deception was uncovered after an image of him emerged online, leading to his arrest.
According to one neighbour who lived near him in Harlech, Gwynedd, Carley had claimed he had “been in naval intelligence”.
They told the Daily Mail: “He told a few of us that he was in the Navy. We’d also seen him in his uniform once or twice, so it all seemed to fit.
“But he also mentioned that he had been in naval intelligence and that he had been monitoring the Russians. It was all a bit vague, mind, so we should have known.
Carley was fined £500
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“He is very polite and well-spoken and had a military bearing, so it was believable. However, it was all a pack of lies.
“He’s obviously a very sad man to have made it all up.”
Carley, who previously worked as a history teacher, was apprehended by police after photographers at the Llandudno event on November 9, 2025, noticed his unusually large sword.
He reportedly told police, “I’ve been expecting you,” when officers arrived at his home, where they recovered the ceremonial sword along with the military uniform and medals.
Carley is said to have told neighbours about working with Nato
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Carley was fined £500 after admitting to dressing as a Navy admiral without permission at the event.
He was also charged with wearing a uniform or dress bearing the mark of His Majesty’s Forces without permission.
In addition, he was ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £200 surcharge at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court.
District Judge Gwyn Jones said during the hearing that Carley had “set out to deceive” people attending the ceremony, instead of taking a “genuine opportunity” to reflect on “all those who have suffered for their country and community”.
He said: “It should have been a genuine opportunity to remember and think about the lives of all those who have served their country and their community.
“Your actions totally disrespected all those who have fought. It is a sad reflection upon you that you chose to do such a thing on such a difficult day for so many.”