RAF Personnel Face Scrutiny After Vandalizing Paddington Bear Statue
NEWBURY, UK – A treasured statue of Paddington Bear, the iconic fictional character who journeyed from Peru to England, was damaged and stolen by two men in Newbury. The incident, involving Royal Air Force personnel, saw the beloved Paddington statue, part of a public art trail, forcefully broken and removed. The act of vandalism has drawn widespread condemnation and resulted in legal repercussions for the individuals involved.
Court Condemns “Antithesis” of Paddington’s Values
During a hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court, a judge delivered a stern rebuke to the pair, both serving members of the Royal Air Force. Judge Sam Goozee declared their actions to be the “antithesis” of the principles and character embodied by Paddington Bear.
“Paddington Bear is a cherished cultural icon for both children and adults alike,” Judge Goozee asserted. “He embodies kindness, tolerance, and promotes integration and acceptance within our society. Your conduct directly opposes everything Paddington represents.”
Details of the Statue Vandalism
The individuals responsible, identified as Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22-year-old engineers in the Royal Air Force, admitted to charges of criminal damage. The incident occurred on March 2nd in Newbury, the birthplace of Paddington Bear’s creator, Michael Bond.
The vandalized statue depicted Paddington in his signature blue coat and red hat. It was one of 23 statues forming a Paddington trail across England, launched to coincide with the release of the film “Paddington in Peru.” The statue portrays the bear gazing upwards, clutching his marmalade sandwich.
Highlighting the bear’s message of welcome, the judge noted the inscription on Paddington’s coat: “Please look after this bear.”
Drunken Act Caught on CCTV
Prosecutor Jamie Renuka informed the court that Heath and Lawrence were intoxicated during the act of vandalism. CCTV footage captured the incident on a deserted street around 2:00 am. The men were seen kicking and pulling at the statue until it fractured. They then took a portion of the broken statue in a taxi back to their RAF Odiham base.
The stolen Paddington fragment was later discovered in Lawrence’s vehicle.
Sentence and RAF Response
Judge Goozee characterized the crime as an act of “wanton vandalism,” emphasizing the servicemen’s failure to uphold the standards of conduct expected within the military.
For admitting criminal damage, both Heath and Lawrence were sentenced to community service and ordered to pay £2,725 ($3,527) each to cover the costs of repairing the damaged statue.
A spokesperson for the Royal Air Force stated that the service would consider the court’s findings. However, any internal disciplinary actions would remain confidential.
Statue Restoration Underway
The Newbury Business Improvement District confirmed that the damaged Paddington statue is currently undergoing restoration. Plans are in place to reinstall the repaired statue for public enjoyment in Newbury.