North Wales Police have arrested a 64-year-old man following reports that an individual in the uniform of a Royal Navy rear admiral took part in the Remembrance Sunday wreath‑laying in Llandudno on 9 November. The man has been named in multiple media reports as Jonathan Carley of the Harlech area. Officers said a search of an address led to the recovery of a naval uniform and a selection of medals, and that enquiries remain ongoing.
This incident engages the Uniforms Act 1894, which makes it an offence for someone not serving in the armed forces to wear, without permission, the uniform of those forces or clothing that appears to be such uniform. The offence is punishable by a fine at level 3 on the standard scale-currently up to £1,000 in England and Wales. A separate offence exists where the wearing is likely to bring contempt on the uniform, which carries the same fine or up to one month’s imprisonment.
Two important caveats in the 1894 Act are frequently misunderstood. First, it allows the wearing of military dress for stage plays and certain licensed performances, and for bona fide military representations; secondly, the statute regulates uniforms rather than honours. In particular, UK law does not generally criminalise the wearing of medals that were not awarded to the wearer, although such behaviour may attract public criticism.
The police statement confirms only that the arrest relates to suspected unlawful use of military uniforms. It does not specify any charge. Chief Inspector Trystan Bevan said officers recovered a naval uniform and medals during a search and that further updates will follow. A Royal Navy spokesperson has separately stated that impersonating a Naval officer is insulting and could amount to a criminal offence, echoing the legal framework above.
Where medals are involved, criminal liability arises only if other statutes are engaged-for example, the Fraud Act 2006, which covers dishonest false representation intended to make a gain or cause a loss. Absent such intent, wearing unearned medals is not itself an offence in the UK, a position set out in House of Commons Library research.
Procedurally, after an arrest for a summary offence such as under the Uniforms Act, police typically interview the suspect under caution, consider further investigative steps and then decide whether to refer a file to the Crown Prosecution Service. The CPS applies the Full Code Test-assessing whether there is a realistic prospect of conviction and whether prosecution is in the public interest-or, in limited circumstances, the Threshold Test.
For local authorities, veterans’ organisations and event organisers, the case is a reminder to document who is invited to lay wreaths or represent institutions and to confirm claimed ranks or offices with the relevant bodies in advance. The legal exemptions for theatre and licensed performance do not extend to members of the public presenting themselves as serving officers at civic ceremonies.
Next steps will depend on the outcome of enquiries and any CPS charging decision. If prosecuted solely under section 2 or 3 of the Uniforms Act 1894, the matter would ordinarily be heard in the magistrates’ court with the penalties outlined above. North Wales Police say further information will be released when available.