Sycamore Gap vandals face their fate in English court for felling beloved tree
Share and Follow

With one man holding a phone to capture the infamous fall of the tree and the other operating a chainsaw, a duo of vandals permanently changed the scenery of a cherished area along Hadrian’s Wall in northern England.

In less than three minutes, the beloved Sycamore Gap tree that had stood for nearly 150 years crashed to the ground.

The fate of the men convicted of the senseless act now lies in the hands of a judge who will sentence them Tuesday in Newcastle Crown Court.

Justice Christina Lambert cautioned Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers that they might encounter a “lengthy period in custody” after being convicted in May on two counts each of criminal damage.

Each count carries a penalty of up to 10 years behind bars.

The unlawful tree felling in Northumberland National Park on September 28, 2023, sparked immediate public outrage and news of the event quickly traveled beyond the ancient wall established by Emperor Hadrian in AD 122 to guard the Roman Empire’s northwest frontier.

It wasn’t Britain’s biggest or oldest tree, but it was prized for its picturesque setting, symmetrically planted between two hills along the wall that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The tree had long been known to locals but became famous after a cameo in Kevin Costner’s 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.”

It drew tourists, lovers, landscape photographers and even those who spread the ashes of loved ones.

It was voted English “Tree of the Year” in 2016.

Graham, 39, and Carruthers, 32, once close friends who had a falling out since their arrests, denied taking part in the act, claiming they were each at their homes that night. But evidence shown to the jury implicated both men.

Graham’s Range Rover was near the tree around the time it fell. Grainy video of the felling was found on his phone — with metadata showing that it was shot at the location of the tree.

As digital data showed Graham’s vehicle on its way back to where the two lived about 40 minutes away, Carruthers got a text from his girlfriend with footage of their 12-day-old son.

“I’ve got a better video than that,” Carruthers replied.

The jury didn’t hear evidence of a motive for the crime, but prosecutor Richard Wright suggested in his closing argument that the two had been on a “moronic mission” and cut down the tree as a joke.

“They woke up the morning after and … it must have dawned on them that they couldn’t see anyone else smiling,” Wright said.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Nato scrambles fighter jets as Putin blasts Ukraine

NATO Deploys Fighter Jets in Response to Putin’s Criticism of Ukraine

NATO found itself in a high-stakes situation as fighter jets were urgently…
Man killed after firing at police during child custody exchange in quiet North Carolina suburb

Tragic Turn: Fatal Shooting at Child Custody Exchange Shakes Peaceful North Carolina Suburb

MINT HILL, N.C. (AP) — A tragic incident unfolded on Friday when…
Jamie Lynn Spears gifts 'accident-prone' daughter Maddie an ATV despite teen almost dying in crash

Jamie Lynn Spears Surprises Daughter Maddie with ATV, Stirring Up Memories of Past Incident

This holiday season, Jamie Lynn Spears stirred up some controversy with a…
Chilling discovery after doctor's wife and two children are killed

Tragic Triple Homicide: Shocking Details Emerge in Doctor’s Family Murder Case

A disturbing revelation has surfaced amid the ongoing investigation into the tragic…
Man arrested for attempted murder on Christmas in Fort White

Shocking Christmas Day Arrest: Fort White Man Charged with Attempted Murder

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office reported the arrest of Johnny McNutt, 53,…
Layoff announcements top 1.1 million, most since 2020 pandemic

Job Cuts Surge to Highest Levels Since 2020: Over 1.1 Million Positions Affected

According to recent data from Challenger, Gray & Christmas, U.S. employers have…
Fox News True Crime Newsletter: JonBenet Ramsey case, Scott Peterson's bid, Kimberlee Singler returns

Fox News True Crime Update: Developments in the JonBenet Ramsey Case, Scott Peterson’s Appeal, and Kimberlee Singler’s Reappearance

The unsolved murder of JonBenét Ramsey, a case that has perplexed investigators…
The Cure guitarist Perry Bamonte dies aged 65

Guitarist Perry Bamonte of The Cure Passes Away at 65

Perry Bamonte, the renowned guitarist of The Cure, has passed away at…