A furious judge is torn apart in two RAF therapy after they have mutilated a statue of Paddington Bear before they steal it and said they were the 'antithesis of everything that Paddington' stands for '.
Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22, broke the fiber optic model of the 'beloved' children's book character that sat on a bank in Newbury, Berkshire, on 2 March. Their actions were caught on CCTV.
Huringly, district judge Sam Goozee burned the rampage of the couple 'an act of deliberate vandalism' – as a public prosecutor added 'when you think of England, you think of two things: Paddington Bear and the Royal Family. “
“Paddington Bear is a popular cultural icon in both children and adults,” the smoking judge told them. 'He represents friendliness, tolerance and promotes integration and acceptance in our society.
“His famous label attached to his plunger jacket says:” Please care for this bear “.
'In the night of March 2, 2025, your actions were the antithesis of everything that Paddington stands for.
“Your actions lacked respect and integrity, two values ​​that you should maintain as members of the armed forces.”
CCTV images shown in court show the two criminals who pull the statue of the bank from the bank on Northbrook Street in the early hours of the morning.
RAFingeurs Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22, both have admitted criminal damage at Reading Magistrates' Court
On the left, Paddington is depicted on the park bench that eats a marmalade sandwich and right – the remains of the statue in Northbrook Street, Newbury, after the theft
Heath and Lawrence are seen on CCTV who tears the beloved statue into pieces while they have stolen it
After several attempts, the young men, who had drunk the day at Newbury Races, succeeded the front of the bear away from the seam.
They are then seen with the bear, walk through the Hoofdstraat, with Paddington Bear stuck over one of their shoulders before they go into a taxi with the statue.
After his return to Raf Odiham, the men then picked up Paddington in the boot of Lawrence. A few hours later, the police appeared at the base after their taxi driver had confirmed their identity to officers.
After seeing officers, Heath and Lawrence told the guards about what they had done and were then taken to the police station. During police interviews after their arrest, they made 'full and frank admission' about the removal of the statue.
The vandalism for the cheerful statue in Newbury – the birthplace of Paddington -author Michael Bond, who died in June 2017 at the age of 91 – caused indignation in the community at the time.
Only the back and the hind legs of the statue, which was one of the 23 in the entire country as part of a Paddington path to celebrate the latest film, were left behind.
A tent covered the mutilated statue with 'mourning people' and left pots of marmalade, sandwiches and poems where the Peruvian bear used to be.
The police previously posed next to the statue of Paddington Bear in Newbury, Berkshire
The statue of Paddington Bear was cut in two after the two men pulled it off the couch
Heath and William Lawrence can be seen that the statue (left) destroys before the couple can be seen on CCTV that runs away with it (right)
Inspector Alan Hawkett of the Thames Valley police made jokes at the time: “Paddington goes to the Newbury police station for a much needed Marmalade Sandwich.”
He added that the police would try “to keep it safe and support his restoration to his rightful place in Northbrook Street.”
Public Prosecutor Jamie Reunuka told the court that vandalism “had caused a significant impact on the community.”
“All jokes Opzij Paddington Bear is considered a national treasure,” she said. “If you think of England, you think of two things Paddington Bear and the royal family.”
The stolen parts of the statue have since been found.
Lee Dillon, liberal -democrat -Member for the city, added at the time: 'Heartbreaking to see that Paddington was destroyed in Newbury. He brings so much joy to our community.
“Yesterday I stopped to take a picture of him with my family. This pointless damage is so disappointing. '
After confirming that two RAF employees were involved in vandalism, the military organ said: 'We are aware that two service staff were arrested for alleged theft and criminal damage. However, we cannot comment while the legal proceedings are underway. '
Heath, Van Thornton, West Yorkshire and Lawrence, Van Enderby, Leicester, both admitted a violation of criminal damage this morning to reading the magistrates.
The couple received both a community order from the judge, each of whom had to pay £ 2,275 to make the £ 5,451 in damage to the statue. They will also have to complete 150 hours of unpaid work of 12 months.
Heath and Lawrence both received a fine of £ 2,275 each and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work
District judge GOOZEE, the destructive duo, said: 'The statue is one of the 23 in the United Kingdom and Ireland as part of the Paddington Visits Trail.
'Of particular importance for Newbury is that the maker of the Beer Michael Bond came from the city of Berkshire.
'In what can only be described as an act of deliberate vandalism, the CCTV shows that you two the front of the Paddington statue with violence and carry it through the city to a taxi that brought you and the status back to your base in Raf Odiham.
“You were both under the influence of alcohol. Paddington Bear was then in the vehicle of William Lawrence. '
The judge added: 'The RAF recognizes your strong promise for your future. I don't know what your future can have in the armed forces as a result of this conviction, that will be a matter for another tribunal.
'You have both expressed regret for your promotion and I have read your apologetic letter to the Newbury Business Improvement District and the mayor of the city.
“I will ask the police to ensure that the letter is being forwarded to them. Finally, I recognize your age. You are both young men of 22 years old. There is no doubt that a level of immature played a role in your insulting. '
Last week a different Paddington statue was the victim of Vandals in Ashby, Leicestershire, with a colorful bear.
Marmalade Sandwich -loving Paddington, who first appeared in books written by Bond in the 1950s, was named after the London station where he was discovered – with a tag that encouraged: “Please care for this bear.”
The same railway termin has now built a statue in honor of him and others have been built elsewhere throughout the country.
The good place of Paddington Bear in the British hearts was symbolized by his appearance in a sketch next to the late Queen Elizabeth II as part of her platinum jubilee celebrations in June 2022.
