RAF Engineers Charged with Vandalism of Paddington Bear Statue

Two servicemen face penalties after destroying a newly erected statue of the beloved children's character in Newbury.

Two 22-year-old RAF engineers, Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, have been accused of vandalism for their involvement in the destruction of a Paddington Bear statue in Newbury, Berkshire on March 2, 2025. The mischievous incident was captured on CCTV and shown in Reading magistrates court, where it was revealed that the pair not only damaged the statue but also absconded with a portion of it.

The courtroom was addressed by district judge Sam Goozee, who labeled the act as 'wanton vandalism' and emphasized that it was contrary to the values represented by the iconic character, Paddington Bear.

The judge highlighted Paddington's significance as a cultural emblem that promotes acceptance, kindness, and tolerance across generations.

The statue, which pays homage to Paddington Bear's creator Michael Bond, who was born in Newbury, holds added cultural importance for the local community.

Following their arrest at the RAF Odiham base, both men admitted to the offenses during police interviews.

The severed half of the statue was later discovered hidden in Lawrence's vehicle.

Consequently, the court has ordered Heath and Lawrence to pay £2,725 each towards the restoration of the statue.

They will also be serving a 12-month community order with a requirement to perform 150 hours of unpaid labor.

Inspector Alan Hawkett from the Newbury neighbourhood policing team confirmed that Paddington Bear had been returned to its owners after a brief hold at the police station for assessment.

In efforts to shield local children from distress, the remaining part of the statue was concealed to prevent any further emotional impact on the community.