In a bizarre turn of events, two Royal Air Force engineers have been named as the men responsible for the shocking vandalism of a Paddington Bear statue in Newbury, Berkshire. The beloved figure, which was part of a nationwide Paddington trail, was not only damaged but also stolen in a brazen act earlier this month.
The story of Paddington Bear is as endearing as the character himself, and this statue, unveiled only last October, had become a treasured sight for locals. But now, the once-pristine sculpture of the marmalade sandwich-loving bear has been cut in half, and the pieces taken. Thankfully, after a determined investigation, the stolen part of the statue was recovered.
The culprits? Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22 and serving as engineers in the Royal Air Force. These two young men have been charged with criminal damage and theft and are set to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court next Tuesday.
A spokesperson for the RAF confirmed the arrests, saying, “We are aware that two service personnel have been arrested for alleged theft and criminal damage. However, we are unable to comment further while legal proceedings are ongoing.”
Paddington’s home city of Newbury holds a special place in the heart of the nation, being the birthplace of his creator, Michael Bond, who passed away in 2017. Local officials have been working tirelessly to bring justice to this case. Inspector Alan Hawkett, leading the investigation, shared his relief after the arrests were made: “Paddington Bear is a beloved part of Newbury. We’ve been doing everything we can to locate both the statue and the offenders. I’m pleased we’ve recovered the statue and look forward to its restoration.”
Paddington’s return to Newbury is sure to be a heartwarming moment for the community. For now, the poor bear is resting at the Newbury police station, where, in true Paddington fashion, he’s been given a “much-needed marmalade sandwich.”
As a part of the Paddington trail ahead of the film Paddington in Peru, this statue was one of 23 dotted across the UK. Liberal Democrat MP for Newbury, Lee Dillon, expressed his sorrow over the incident, writing on X: “Heartbreaking to see that Paddington in Newbury has been vandalised. He brings so much joy to our community.”
Paddington Bear, first introduced by Bond in the 1950s, became a symbol of kindness and resilience. His statue in Newbury was a poignant tribute to the late author and continues to capture the hearts of both young and old.
