logo
Vandal dumped shrub over statue of beloved Paddington bear, causing outcry

Vandal dumped shrub over statue of beloved Paddington bear, causing outcry

Yahoo5 days ago
A VANDAL who sparked a public outcry by damaging a popular Paddington Bear statue in Penrith town centre has been punished by magistrates.
Anil Puri, aged 56, was caught by CCTV as he committed the crime in Little Dockray on December 2 last year.
The Paddington Bear figure has become a huge hit with town residents and visitors alike since it was unveiled in October, 2024. It was one of around two dozen similar statues installed on benches in locations across the UK prior to the release of the film Paddington in Peru, and the only one in Cumbria.
Prosecutor George Shelley told Carlisle Magistrates' Court this morning (Tuesday) the Paddington Bear figure, belonging to a film company, was maintained by the Penrith BID (business improvement district) group, which also owned surrounding planters.
CCTV captured Puri causing the damage. 'He pulls a shrub from the planter and dumps it on to the figure's head,' said Mr Shelley. Puri then shoved a shrub between Paddington's arms, which are clasped around his trademark marmalade sandwich.
There were scratches caused to the figure, which was damaged to the tune of £40. Around £250 damage was caused to the planters. 'The next day there was a public outcry on social media,' said Mr Shelley.
Puri, of Stanstead Road, Lewisham, London, said in the aftermath he had been suffering from mental health issues.
Appearing in court remotely today over a video link, Puri admitted causing criminal damage to the statue and planter. A man with no previous convictions, he apologised to all concerned for what he had done.
Magistrates fined Puri £50. He must also pay £290 compensation to Penrith BID, along with £85 costs and a £20 mandatory surcharge.
Penrith mayor Doug Lawson said in response to Puri's vandalism: 'Since Paddington arrived in Penrith, he has been a constant source of entertainment and joy for young and old alike. At one stage my Facebook feed was full of pictures of friends and family with the statue.
'I said at his unveiling that he was a symbol of the welcoming and generous culture of Penrith.
'With all that in mind, I am deeply saddened to hear that someone would attempt to damage the statue; obviously, any vandalism is wrong, but this act seems particularly heartless.
'I can only hope that having been caught, the person responsible reflects on their actions and the upset they have caused.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Police cordons remain in place as investigation into death continues
Police cordons remain in place as investigation into death continues

Yahoo

time21 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Police cordons remain in place as investigation into death continues

A back street remains cordoned off as police continue their enquiries into the death of a man. The scene has been in place since Thursday evening, with a police having made an arrest. (Image: Phil Taylor) The investigation centres around Longden Street in Heaton, where another police scene is in place. READ MORE: Heaton: Murder investigation launched after man found dead Murder investigation launched in Heaton (Image: Phil Taylor) Emergency services were called just before 9pm on Thursday, and there has been a police presence there since, including today. The police told The Bolton News on Friday that they were called at 8.50pm on Thursday to reports of a concern for the welfare of a man on the street. A man in his 40s was found dead and a woman in her 40s had been arrested on suspicion of murder and as of yesterday was still in custody for questioning. Crime scene investigation were on scene on Friday.

Three arrested as demo takes place outside hotel used to house migrants
Three arrested as demo takes place outside hotel used to house migrants

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Three arrested as demo takes place outside hotel used to house migrants

Three people have been arrested at a protest and counter-protest outside a hotel being used to house migrants. Sunday saw the latest in a series of demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Protesters waved union flags, while Stand Up To Racism counter-protesters marched to the hotel with signs reading: 'Stop scapegoating refugees and migrants'. A 52-year-old man from Loughton was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence. It is understood the arrest was in connection with abuse being shouted towards counter-protesters. A 53-year-old woman, also from Loughton, was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence connected with a previous protest, and it is understood she was part of the protest against the use of the hotel. A 27-year-old woman from Deptford was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and a public order offence, and it is understood she was part of the counter-protest. Essex Police Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'I want to thank those who attended for the peaceful nature of both protests. 'Our role is to ensure that you can express your democratic right to protest safely and lawfully and we had a proportionate and robust plan in place to ensure that could happen. 'I am pleased that today has passed off without incident and I am grateful to our colleagues from other forces for their support.' Weyman Bennett, co-convener of Stand Up To Racism, told the PA news agency that volunteer security personnel accompanied them. He added: 'We're happy to demonstrate but we're not happy to be attacked by thugs, racists and hooligans.' One man was seen being taken away from the station area by two officers, though it was not clear if he was part of any group. Members of Stand Up To Racism were seen trying to stop people from filming the protesters, as locals watched the march from their driveways. One local man was seen chanting in support of Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, as the march went past. He began shouting 'there's only one Tommy Robinson' when a protester approached him. One Stand Up To Racism protester chanted 'fascist scum' at him before police stepped in to ensure they would not come together. Essex Police said it had established protest restrictions due to repeated serious disruption, violence, and harm to the community during previous demonstrations. The force said that there was a ban on anyone wearing face coverings and that there were designated sites opposite the hotel for protesters. A dispersal order was in effect from 12pm on Sunday until 8am on Monday, covering Epping town centre and nearby transport hubs. Both sets of protesters were kept separated by fences. Those protesting outside The Bell Hotel in Epping chose to ignore counter-demonstrators and began singing. They sang Sweet Caroline and Come On Eileen while demonstrators from Stand Up To Racism chanted: 'Nazi scum off our streets'. Essex Police said that residents have reported feeling 'trapped', fearful of leaving their homes and anxious about protest activity previously. Hotel residents and staff have been advised to remain indoors after 5pm as some have experienced verbal and physical harassment, including a resident chased and injured while returning to the hotel, the force added. Essex Police said there was an 'escalation of violence' during protests on July 13, 17, 20 and 24, involving hundreds of people. The force added that officers were assaulted, missiles were thrown, vehicles were vandalised and the hotel sustained broken windows and graffiti. The Epping protest was sparked by the charging of asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, with sexual assault after he allegedly attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl. He denied the charge at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court and will stand trial in August.

Man Arrested After He Claims He Has a Bomb on Flight, Threatens President Donald Trump and Screams 'Death to America'
Man Arrested After He Claims He Has a Bomb on Flight, Threatens President Donald Trump and Screams 'Death to America'

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Man Arrested After He Claims He Has a Bomb on Flight, Threatens President Donald Trump and Screams 'Death to America'

The 41-year-old man "remains in custody," according to police A man was arrested after he claimed he had a bomb — and made other eye-raising remarks — on a plane. The 41-year-old man was on an easyJet flight headed from London's Luton Airport to Glasgow, Scotland, on Sunday, July 27, when he first called out, "Stop the plane," according to social media footage of the incident obtained by the Daily Mail and the BBC. The man — whose identity has not yet been shared publicly — then said, "Find the bomb on the plane," before he yelled: "Death to America. Death to Trump." He then screamed "Allahu Akbar," which translates to "God is great" in Arabic, several times, before another passenger appeared to tackle him and held him to the ground. As another passenger joined in, sitting on the man and telling him, "Sit down. Don't move," the flight crew could then be heard announcing that the plane would be "landing very shortly," before other passengers began to question the man. "Do you have a bomb?" one person inquired, as others asked the man about whether he had been drinking or taking drugs. Police Scotland told PEOPLE authorities boarded the aircraft once it arrived and arrested the man. The 41-year-old "remains in custody," police said. In a statement to PEOPLE, a easyJet spokesperson confirmed that the incident took place and that the passenger was removed "due to their behavior onboard." The representative continued, "easyJet's crew are trained to assess all situations and act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other customers is not compromised at any time." "The safety and well-being of our customers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority," the spokesperson for British airline added. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Police Scotland told PEOPLE the investigation into the incident continues. "We are aware of videos circulating online, and these are being assessed by counter terrorism officers," authorities said. 'At this time we believe the incident was contained and that nobody else was involved," police added. It is not currently clear what charges the man faces or if he has legal representation to comment on his behalf. Read the original article on People

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store