TWO MEN AWAIT SENTENCING FOR “MINDLESS” FELLING OF ICONIC SYCAMORE GAP TREE
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Agency Report
Two men found guilty of the “deliberate and mindless” destruction of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland, UK, will be sentenced today at Newcastle Crown Court, facing up to 10 years in prison for their actions.
Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, former friends from Carlisle, were convicted in May of criminal damage after they cut down the 200-year-old sycamore in September 2023. The tree, which stood beside Hadrian’s Wall a UNESCO World Heritage Site was a beloved symbol of the northeast and famously featured in the 1991 film *Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves*.
The pair were also convicted of damaging the Roman wall itself, as the tree fell across it during the felling, causing £1,144 in damage. The tree’s destruction was valued at over £622,000.
According to prosecutors, Graham and Carruthers drove to the site in Graham’s Range Rover under cover of night and used a chainsaw to bring down the historic tree in just minutes.
“Having completed their moronic mission,” said prosecutor Richard Wright, “the pair travelled back towards Carlisle.”
The senseless act sparked outrage across the UK and beyond. The National Trust, which owns the site, described the loss as deeply felt, especially in the North East, where the tree was not only a landmark but part of many personal memories.
“It shocked people around the country and overseas,” said a spokesperson. “The tree was an emblem of the region.”
The tree, which won the Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year in 2016, had been photographed by millions and was a major tourist attraction.
Restoration efforts are under way. The National Trust confirmed it has successfully cultivated 49 saplings from the felled tree’s seeds, to be planted across the UK this winter. A portion of the trunk over six feet in length has been transformed into a public art installation at a nearby visitor centre, allowing people to continue connecting with the cherished landmark.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. (1000 GMT).
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