Two men have been charged with vandalizing a Paddington Bear statue. They kicked and pulled at the statue while intoxicated, ultimately causing it to break. The statue was originally part of a Paddington Bear-themed trail created to commemorate the release of the film "Paddington in Peru."
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03-26, 2025The two men, Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22-year-old Royal Air Force engineers, admitted in Reading Magistrates' Court that they were responsible for the damage that occurred in Newbury in March, the hometown of Paddington Bear creator Michael Bond. Their actions have sparked public outrage and condemnation.
Judge Sam Gooz criticized the two servicemen, stating that their behavior was "completely contrary" to everything Paddington Bear represents. The judge emphasized that Paddington Bear is a beloved cultural icon for children and adults alike, representing kindness, tolerance, and promoting social inclusion and acceptance. Their actions were a complete negation of the Paddington Bear spirit.
Prosecutor Jamie Renouka stated that CCTV footage showed the two men were intoxicated at the time of the incident. They stole half of the statue and took a taxi back to RAF Odiham. The stolen Paddington Bear was later found in Lawrence's car. Judge Gooz stated that the crime "can only be described as wanton vandalism," and the pair failed to uphold the respect and integrity expected of the military.
The men, who pleaded guilty to criminal damage, were sentenced to community service and ordered to each pay £2,725 (approximately AU$4,320) towards the cost of repairing the damaged statue. A Royal Air Force spokesperson stated that the military would consider the court's ruling, but any disciplinary action would not be made public as it would be a private matter. Newbury Business Improvement District stated that the statue is currently being repaired and will be reinstalled.
