Paddington Bear statue: Two RAF engineers convicted for damaging statue

Court criticises RAF engineers for vandalising Paddington Bear 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.