DUMMY BEARS
Judge blasts RAF engineers with shock put-down after they stole Paddington Bear statue from public bench
The statue is one of 23 across the UK and Ireland, installed by film company StudioCanal as part of the Paddington Visits trail
TWO drunk RAF engineers who wrecked a Paddington Bear statue are the “antithesis of everything” the kids’ character stands for, a judge told them yesterday.
Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22, tore the artwork in two as they swiped it in a boozy late night prank.
6
6
6
CCTV showed the pair walk up to the marmalade-loving bear and kick him in the face before grabbing his head and attempting to yank him off the bench at 2am on March 2.
One of them fell as they tried to prise the fibreglass creation from its base before it ripped off — leaving its back and rear of its legs behind.
The pair laughed as they walked off and carried the statue through the centre of Newbury, Berks, and into a taxi, which took them back to base at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, Reading magistrates’ court heard.
But the duo were tracked down and nicked the next day with the broken front half of the statue found in the boot of Lawrence’s car.
READ MORE UK NEWS
District judge Sam Goozee yesterday condemned their actions as “an act of wanton vandalism”.
He said: “Paddington Bear is a beloved cultural icon with children and adults alike.
“He represents kindness, tolerance and promotes integration and acceptance in our society. His famous label attached to his duffle coat says, ‘Please look after this bear’.
“Your actions were the antithesis of everything Paddington stands for.
Most read in The Sun
“Your actions lacked respect and integrity, values you should uphold as members of the Armed Forces.”
Heath, of Thornton, West Yorks, and Lawrence of Enderby, Leics, admitted criminal damage and were handed 12-month community orders with 150 hours of unpaid work.
Top Labour MP says UK shouldn’t ban illegal migrants because of Paddington Bear
They must also each pay £2,725 towards the costs of repair.
The statue is one of 23 across the UK and Ireland, installed by film company StudioCanal as part of the Paddington Visits trail.
Newbury is the birthplace of Paddington creator Michael Bond, which added to the cultural significance of the statue for the town.
Insp Alan Hawkett, of its Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “After a short stay at Newbury police station, we handed the statue back to its owners so it can be restored.”
The RAF said it was aware of the outcome of the court case.
6
6
6
Topics