ROYAL AIR FORCE IN DEEP TROUBLE FOR ATTACKING PADDINGTON BEAR

 

CAUGHT RED HANDED!

Great Britain's Royal Air Force attacked and destroyed a statue of Paddington Bear causing distress throughout the Kingdom. The destruction of the statue (sited in Newbury, UK) was perpetrated by two RAF engineers, who have admitted they broke and stole the fictional bear while they were on a drunken night out on the town. 

A judge recently chastised the duo — both military personnel — for the grizzly attack and for being the “antithesis” of everything Paddington’s character stands for. 

Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both 22 and engineers in the Royal Air Force, admitted in Reading Magistrates’ Court that they were responsible for unbearable vandalism in Newbury, the hometown of Paddington creator Michael Bond. 

“Paddington Bear is a beloved cultural icon with children and adults alike,” Judge Sam Goozee said. “He represents kindness, tolerance and promotes integration and acceptance in our society. ... Your actions were the antithesis of everything Paddington stands for.” 

The statue of the bear in his signature blue coat and red hat was one of 23 installed last fall as part of a Paddington trail across England to mark the release of “Paddington in Peru.” The introspective bear is gazing skyward while clutching a sandwich — with marmalade about to drip on his lap. 

The Paddington Bear statute in Newbury UK before the RAF blitz!

Prosecutor Jamie Renuka said the men were drunk during the escapade that was captured by a surveillance camera on the empty street just before 2 a.m. The two spirited away half of the statue in a taxi and returned to RAF Odiham base where the purloined Paddington was later found in Lawrence’s car. 

Goozee said the bearfaced crime could “only be described as an act of wanton vandalism” and that the two had failed to uphold the respect and integrity expected in the military. The pair, who admitted criminal damage, were ordered to perform community work and each to pay 2,725 pounds ($3,527) for repairs to the damaged statue. 

An RAF spokesperson said the service would consider the court’s findings but that any discipline would not be disclosed because it would be a private matter. The statue is currently being repaired and will be reinstalled, the Newbury Business Improvement District said. 

The judge noted that the label on Paddington’s coat says, “Please look after this bear Obviously, they didn’t look after this bear and they are a national disgrace as a result. 

Oh, the shame. 

On this April 1 day, Paddington is visiting the palace to discuss future security measures to be provided by the crown.

--Based on reportage by Brian Melley, The Associated Press, London.