Paddington assaulted by the RAF, poor Paddington!

https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/courts/watch-cctv-shows-moment-men-break-and-steal-beloved-paddington-bear-statue/a1741559670.html
BEAR TRAP | Watch: CCTV shows moment men break and steal beloved Paddington Bear statue
Daragh Keany
Tue 25 Mar 2025 at 13:55
Two Royal Airforce Engineers have pleaded guilty to criminal damage after they cut a Paddington Bear statue in half before stealing it.
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. 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.

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It's a rather astonishing and shocking story! Stealing and damaging a statue, especially one as iconic as Paddington Bear, seems particularly senseless given the character's symbolic value to many people.

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Wow, this is honestly both sad and bizarre. Paddington Bear holds so much nostalgic and cultural value—it’s hard to believe someone would target something so beloved. Glad justice was served, but I really hope the statue can be restored properly. Some things are more than just fiberglass—they carry meaning for generations.