Paddington Bear statue: Two RAF engineers convicted for damaging statue
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Two RAF engineers have been sentenced for criminal damage after vandalising a Paddington Bear statue in Newbury, Berkshire, earlier this month.
Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22 and based at RAF Odiham, admitted to damaging the statue in the early hours of March 2 while intoxicated.
District Judge Sam Goozee, sentencing the pair at Reading Magistrates' Court, described their actions as the 'antithesis' of everything Paddington stands for.
The statue, located on Northbrook Street, was damaged when the two men attempted to lift it from its bench.
The bear's seam broke off, and the men were seen walking away with the broken piece, which was later recovered from Lawrence's car.
The statue, unveiled in Newbury in October 2024, was part of the Paddington Visits Trail and holds particular significance as the home of Paddington's creator, Michael Bond.
The two men were each ordered to complete a 12-month community order, pay £2,725 to cover the statue's repair costs, and were criticised for failing to respect the values of kindness and tolerance that Paddington represents.
The damaged statue had to be covered with a bin bag to prevent upsetting children, according to a statement by Trish Willetts, CEO of Newbury Business Improvement District.
The exact date for the statue's return has not yet been confirmed.
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Paddington Bear statue: Two RAF engineers convicted for damaging statue
Listen to article Two RAF engineers have been sentenced for criminal damage after vandalising a Paddington Bear statue in Newbury, Berkshire, earlier this month. Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22 and based at RAF Odiham, admitted to damaging the statue in the early hours of March 2 while intoxicated. District Judge Sam Goozee, sentencing the pair at Reading Magistrates' Court, described their actions as the 'antithesis' of everything Paddington stands for. The statue, located on Northbrook Street, was damaged when the two men attempted to lift it from its bench. The bear's seam broke off, and the men were seen walking away with the broken piece, which was later recovered from Lawrence's car. The statue, unveiled in Newbury in October 2024, was part of the Paddington Visits Trail and holds particular significance as the home of Paddington's creator, Michael Bond. The two men were each ordered to complete a 12-month community order, pay £2,725 to cover the statue's repair costs, and were criticised for failing to respect the values of kindness and tolerance that Paddington represents. The damaged statue had to be covered with a bin bag to prevent upsetting children, according to a statement by Trish Willetts, CEO of Newbury Business Improvement District. The exact date for the statue's return has not yet been confirmed.
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Two men have been arrested in connection with the theft and vandalism of a Paddington Bear statue in Newbury, Thames Valley Police confirmed. The statue, which had been placed on a bench in Northbrook Street, was taken around 2:00 GMT on Sunday, March 2. Later that evening, authorities recovered the sculpture and humorously stated that Paddington was "heading to Newbury police station for a much-needed marmalade sandwich." The Paddington Bear sculpture, depicting the beloved fictional character holding a marmalade sandwich, was unveiled in October in Newbury—the hometown of Paddington creator Michael Bond. It was one of 23 statues installed across the UK last year as part of the Paddington Visits trail, an initiative tied to the upcoming film Paddington in Peru, produced by StudioCanal. Authorities arrested two 22-year-old men from Basingstoke on suspicion of theft and criminal damage. As the investigation continues, Inspector Alan Hawkett reassured residents, stating, 'The Paddington Bear statue is a beloved part of Newbury, so we have been doing everything we can to locate it and the offenders.' Police also confirmed they would ensure the statue's safety and assist in its restoration. Residents expressed disappointment over the incident, with many sharing photos of the statue on social media. Local resident Whitney Burnett wrote, 'To some, it may not seem like a big deal, but he was such a little ray of sunshine.' Others highlighted Newbury's significance as the birthplace of Bond, with Juliet Curtis stating, 'How upset he would have been.' As authorities continue their investigation, efforts are underway to restore the statue, ensuring Paddington's place in Newbury remains intact.
