CCTV shows moment Paddington Bear statue ripped in half. #PaddingtonBear #BBCNews

Key Concepts:

• Criminal Damage
• CCTV Evidence
• RAF (Royal Air Force)
• Unpaid Work
• Compensation/Restitution

Incident Overview:

Two Royal Air Force (RAF) engineers, Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, both aged 22, were sentenced for breaking and stealing a Paddington Bear statue. The incident occurred in Newbury, Berkshire, after a night out where they were intoxicated.

Details of the Crime:

Heath and Lawrence were captured on CCTV kicking and pulling at the Paddington Bear statue. The CCTV footage showed them eventually breaking the statue. They then took the broken statue in a taxi back to their RAF base at RAF Odiham.

Investigation and Recovery:

The police recovered the statue from the boot of Lawrence's car at the RAF base.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing:

Both Heath and Lawrence admitted to the offense of criminal damage at Reading Magistrates' Court. The judge presiding over the case ordered them to carry out unpaid work. Additionally, each was ordered to pay £2,725 to cover the cost of the damage to the statue.

Financial Penalties:

The total cost to be paid by the two men is £5,450 (£2,725 each), which is intended to cover the cost of the damage to the Paddington Bear statue.

Conclusion:

Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, two RAF engineers, faced legal consequences for their actions of damaging and stealing a Paddington Bear statue while intoxicated. They were sentenced to unpaid work and ordered to pay significant compensation to cover the cost of the damage. The case highlights the seriousness of criminal damage and the role of CCTV evidence in identifying and prosecuting offenders.