‘The antithesis of all the things Paddington Bear stands for!’: Furious decide lays into RAF engineers who stole statue of fictional character on drunken evening out
A furious judge has torn into two RAF engineers after they mutilated a Paddington Bear statue before stealing it, saying they were the ‘antithesis of everything Paddington stands for’.
Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22, broke up the fiberglass model of the ‘beloved’ children’s book character that was sitting on a bench in Newbury, Berkshire on March 2. Their actions were caught on CCTV.
Lashing out, district judge Sam Goozee branded the pair’s rampage ‘an act of wanton vandalism’ – as a prosecutor added ‘when you think about England you think about two things: Paddington Bear and the Royal family.’
‘Paddington Bear is a beloved cultural icon with children and adults alike,’ the fuming judge told them. ‘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”.
‘On the night of March 2 2025, your actions were the antithesis of everything Paddington stands for.
‘Your actions lacked respect and integrity, two values you should uphold as members of the armed forces.’
CCTV footage shown in court shows the two thugs pulling the statue off the bench on Northbrook Street in the early hours of the morning.
RAF engineers Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22, both admitted criminal damage at Reading Magistrates’ Court
Left, Paddington is pictured on the park bench eating a marmalade sandwich, and right – the remains of the statue in Northbrook Street, Newbury, after the theft
Heath and Lawrence are seen on CCTV ripping the beloved statue to pieces as they stole it
After several attempts the young men, who had spent the day drinking at Newbury Races, manage to pull the front half of the bear away from its seam.
They are then seen making off with the bear, walking down the high street, with Paddington Bear propped up over one of their shoulders before getting into a taxi with the statue.
After returning to RAF Odiham, the men then stowed Paddington into the boot of Lawrence’s car. A few hours later, police turned up at the base after their taxi driver confirmed their identity to officers.
After seeing officers, Heath and Lawrence told the Guards of what they had done and were then taken to the police station. During police interviews after their arrest they made ‘full and frank admissions’ about removing the statue.
The vandalism to the cheery statue in Newbury – the birthplace of Paddington author Michael Bond, who died in June 2017 aged 91 – caused outrage in the community at the time.
Only the back and the rear legs of the statue, which was one of 23 across the country as part of a Paddington trail to celebrate the latest film, were left behind.
A tent covered the mutilated statue with ‘mourners’ leaving jars of marmalade, sandwiches and poems where the Peruvian bear used to sit.
Police previously posed alongside the statue of Paddington Bear in Newbury, Berkshire
The statue of Paddington Bear was cut in half after the two men pulled it off the bench
Heath and William Lawrence can be seen vandalising the statue (left) before the pair are seen on CCTV walking away with it (right)
Inspector Alan Hawkett from Thames Valley Police joked at the time: ‘Paddington is heading to Newbury police station for a much-needed marmalade sandwich.’
He added that police would try to ‘keep it safe and support its restoration to its rightful place in Northbrook Street.’
Prosecutor Jamie Reunuka told the court that the vandalism had ’caused a significant impact to the community’.
‘All jokes aside Paddington Bear is considered a national treasure,’ she said. ‘When you think about England you think about two things Paddington Bear and the Royal family.’
The stolen parts of the statue have since been found.
Lee Dillon, Liberal Democrat MP for the town, added at the time: ‘Heartbreaking to see that Paddington in Newbury has been vandalised. He brings so much joy to our community.
‘Just yesterday, I stopped to take a photo of him with my family. This senseless damage is so disappointing.’
Following confirmation that two RAF employees were involved in the vandalism the military body said: ‘We are aware that two service personnel have been arrested for alleged theft and criminal damage. However, we are unable to comment while legal proceedings are ongoing.’
Heath, of Thornton, West Yorkshire, and Lawrence, of Enderby, Leicester, both admitted an offence of criminal damage this morning at Reading Magistrates’ Court this morning.
The pair were both given a community order by the judge, having to pay £2,275 each to make up for the £5,451 worth of damage caused to the statue. They will also have to complete 150 hours of unpaid work of 12 months.
Heath and Lawrence were both fined £2,275 each and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work
Sentencing the destructive duo, district judge Goozee said: ‘The statue is one of 23 located across the UK and Ireland as part of the Paddington Visits Trail.
‘Of particular significance to Newbury is that the bear’s creator Michael Bond came from the Berkshire town.
‘In what can only be described as an act of wanton vandalism, the CCTV shows the two of you forcibly remove the front facade of the Paddington statue and carry him through the town to a taxi which took you and the statute back to your base at RAF Odiham.
‘You were both under the influence of alcohol. Paddington Bear was then located in William Lawrence’s vehicle.’
The judge added: ‘The RAF recognise your strong promise for your future. I do not know what your futures may hold in the armed forces as a result of this conviction, that will be a matter for a different tribunal.
‘You have both expressed remorse for your action and I have read your letter of apology to Newbury Business Improvement District and the town’s mayor.
‘I will ask the police to ensure that letter is forwarded to them. Finally, I recognise your ages. You are both young men aged 22 years old. There is no doubt that a level of immaturity played a part in your offending.’
Just last week another Paddington statue fell victim to vandals in Ashby, Leicestershire, with a colourful bear being smashed up.
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 – wearing a tag that urged: ‘Please look after this bear.’
That same railway terminus now has a statue in his honour, and others have been erected elsewhere across the country.
Paddington Bear’s fond place in UK hearts was symbolised by his appearance in a sketch alongside the late Queen Elizabeth II as part of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.
