Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, two engineers in the UK's Royal Air Force, vandalized a Paddington Bear statue while drunk, breaking it in half during a night out. The Reading Magistrates' Court heard the incident occurred in Newbury, the hometown of Paddington's creator. The pair received 12-month community service orders and were fined for repairs. The judge criticized their actions as the "antithesis" of Paddington's core values of kindness and acceptance, highlighting the cultural significance of the beloved bear, while the RAF stated they would consider disciplinary actions privately.
"Your actions were the antithesis of everything Paddington stands for," said district judge Sam Goozee during sentencing, emphasizing the importance of the bear's values of kindness and acceptance.
"Paddington Bear is a beloved cultural icon with children and adults alike... he represents kindness, tolerance and promotes integration and acceptance in our society," noted Judge Goozee.
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