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
Some apps on Google Play generating fake ad views, slowing down Android phones: Check Point study

Shocking Study Reveals Fake Ad Scams Draining Your Android’s Performance

CHICAGO (WLS) — The I-Team is issuing a warning about certain apps…
Victoria Beckham and Nicola Peltz's bond decoded

Inside the Close-Knit Relationship Between Victoria Beckham and Nicola Peltz: A Deep Dive

Victoria Beckham and Nicola Peltz’s dynamic has dramatically shifted from being close-knit…
Blake used Taylor against Justin Baldoni, bombshell court papers claim

Explosive Court Revelations: Blake’s Alleged Manipulation of Taylor Sparks Legal Drama with Justin Baldoni

Text messages exchanged between Blake Lively and Taylor Swift have surfaced amidst…
Minnesota law enforcement raises concerns about ICE agents racially profiling citizens

Unveiling Racial Profiling Concerns: Minnesota Law Enforcement Challenges ICE Practices

Authorities in Minnesota have raised alarms about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)…
Carlos Beltran Hall of Fame worthy despite sign-stealing scandal

Carlos Beltran’s Hall of Fame Debate: Can His Legacy Overcome the Sign-Stealing Scandal?

Carlos Beltrán’s reputation took a hit due to his role in the…
Trial for Chicago man Juan Espinoza-Martinez accused of putting hit on Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino begins

High-Stakes Trial: Chicago Man Faces Charges for Alleged Assassination Plot Against Border Patrol Chief

The trial of a Chicago man, accused of orchestrating a plot against…
Stream It Or Skip It? 

Should You Hit Play or Pass? Your Ultimate Streaming Decision Guide

Twinless (now available for streaming on Hulu) is a captivating and thought-provoking…
John Harbaugh 'can't wait to get started' with Giants' Jaxson Dart

John Harbaugh Eager to Kick Off New Era with Giants’ Rising Star Jaxson Dart

Jaxson Dart is known for being anything but a skeptic. When he…