A judge has called two RAF engineers who damaged a Paddington Bear statue the “antithesis” of everything the beloved bear stands for. Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22 and stationed at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, confessed to the criminal damage at Reading Magistrates’ Court. The CCTV footage captured the moment when the statue in Newbury, Berkshire, was vandalized before being taken shortly after 02:00 GMT on 2 March.
Sentencing the pair, district judge Sam Goozee highlighted Paddington Bear as a cherished cultural icon known for kindness, tolerance, and promoting integration. The judge emphasized the significance of the bear’s ethos by stating, “His famous label attached to his duffle coat says ‘please look after this bear’.” He condemned the actions of Heath and Lawrence as contradictory to Paddington’s values, emphasizing their lack of respect and integrity, values that should be upheld by members of the armed forces.
The incident involved the two men stopping by the Paddington Bear statue on Northbrook Street, with CCTV footage showing them attempting to remove it from the bench, resulting in the statue breaking off. Following the damage, the pair was seen carrying the broken half of the statue and later taking it in a taxi back to RAF Odiham. Although the statue appeared for sale on Facebook marketplace, Thames Valley Police recovered it from the boot of Lawrence’s car shortly after the incident.
District judge Goozee handed both individuals a 12-month community order, branding their actions as “an act of wanton vandalism.” Their defense lawyer, Tom Brymer, described Heath and Lawrence as deeply remorseful for their behavior, stating that their actions did not reflect their true character. The Royal Air Force acknowledged the trial’s outcome, indicating that any disciplinary measures would be handled privately. The damaged statue, part of the Paddington Visits Trail, had to be covered to shield it from upsetting children, with plans for its return yet to be confirmed
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