BREAKING: Sycamore Gap vandals found GUILTY after cutting down iconic tree on ‘moronic mission’.uk
Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers drove through a storm for 30 miles in the middle of the night from their homes in Cumbria to the Northumberland landmark, where one of them cut down the sycamore with a chainsaw and the other filmed it.
Two former friends who mounted a “moronic mission” to cut down the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree in an act of “deliberate and mindless criminal damage”, face jail. Mindless Daniel Graham and his accomplice Adam Carruthers drove through a ferocious storm for 30 miles in the middle of the night from their homes in Cumbria to attack the Northumberland landmark.
Under cover of moonlit the crazed pair destroyed the historic tree , with one of them cutting it down using a chainsaw whilst the other filmed it on a mobile phone. Newcastle Crown Court heard the pair then kept a wedge of the trunk as a trophy and spent the next day “revelling” in news reports about their criminality. Prosecutors said the “odd couple” who did everything together had thought it would be “a bit of a laugh”, but realised they “weren’t the big men they thought they were” when they saw the public outrage they had caused by committing “the arboreal equivalent of mindless thuggery”.
Adam Carruthers. (Image: PA)
Today groundworker Graham, 39, and mechanic Carruthers, 32, were each found guilty of two counts of criminal damage – one to the much-photographed tree and and one to Hadrian’s Wall, which was damaged when the sycamore fell on it.
There was little reaction from either in the dock as the jury returned after just over five hours to convict them of causing £622,191 of criminal damage to the tree and £1,144 of damage to the wall.
The pair were both remanded into custody “for their own protection” amidst public outrage at their criminality. They will be sentenced on July 15 and were warned they face substantial jail terms.
As the defendants were led to the cells, Lindsay Dalgleish, a car dealer who Graham implicated in the crime, shouted towards the dock: “I will see you when you’re out big man.”
The trial heard the “totemic” sycamore had stood for more than 100 years in a dramatic dip in Hadrian’s Wall, becoming a popular spot for everything from picnics to proposals – and achieving worldwide fame when it was featured in the 1991 Kevin Costner film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.
Opening the case to jurors, prosecutor Richard Wright KC said: “Though the tree had grown for over a hundred years, the act of irreparably damaging it was the work of a matter of minutes.”
Jurors heard Graham and Carruthers were “best of pals” at the time and regularly worked together felling trees.
Daniel Graham. (Image: PA)
The court heard Graham’s Land Rover was picked up on automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras between Carlisle and Sycamore Gap at night on September 27 2023, and returning early the next morning. His phone was traced to cell sites making the same journey.
When police arrested the pair and searched Graham’s phone, they found a two minute and 41 second video which showed the sycamore being cut down at 12.30am on September 28, and had been sent to Carruthers.
They also found photos and videos of a wedge of tree trunk and a chainsaw in the boot of Graham’s Range Rover, although these have never been found.
Messages and voice notes between Graham and Carruthers the next day showed them talking about the story going “wild” and “viral”, referring to “an operation like we did last night” and joking that damage looked like it had been done by a professional.
But, Mr Wright said, by the time their trial started 18 months later, the pair had “lost their courage” and their once close friendship had collapsed, with each apparently blaming the other.
Graham accused Carruthers of taking his Range Rover and mobile phone to Sycamore Gap that night without his knowledge, saying he had now turned on his former friend because his business was being affected by Carruthers’ actions.
In his defence evidence Graham claimed Carruthers had a fascination with the sycamore, saying he had described it as “the most famous tree in the world” and spoken of wanting to cut it down, even keeping a piece of string in his workshop that he had used to measure the circumference.
Carruthers denied this and told the court he could not understand the outcry over the story, branding it “just a tree”.
Court sketch of Graham and Carruthers in the dock (Image: PA)
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He mocked public reaction to being akin to someone being murdered.
Cross examining Carruthers, Wright asked him: “Is that what’s at the heart of this? You thought it was ‘just a tree’, and when the rest of the world didn’t think it was ‘just a tree’ and it was a terrible and wicked thing to have done, you’ve lost your bottle and can’t own up to it?”
Gale Gilchrist, chief crown prosecutor at CPS North East, said: “For over a century, Sycamore Gap has been an iconic natural landmark in the North East of England, bringing immeasurable joy to those visiting the area.
“In just under three minutes, Graham and Carruthers ended its historic legacy in a deliberate and mindless act of destruction.
“As news of their crime spread the following day, the pair exchanged messages, revelling in the public outcry they had caused.
“Thanks to an outstanding investigation on the part of our police partners, the Crown Prosecution Service was able to build a robust case against both men and bring them to trial.
“The international reaction of disapproval and anger following the destruction at Sycamore Gap illustrates how keenly the public has felt the loss of this beloved site, and we hope our community can take some measure of comfort in seeing those responsible convicted today.”
File photo dated 28/09/23 of people look at the tree at Sycamore Gap, next to Hadrian’s Wall, in Nor (Image: PA)
Northumberland Superintendent Kevin Waring, of Northumbria Police, said: “The Sycamore Gap tree was an iconic landmark – recognisable across the world – and which held a special place in the hearts of many.
“In September 2023, we woke to the devastating news that the tree had been cut down.
“Since then, we have been carrying out a meticulous investigation to identify those responsible.
“Due to the unwavering commitment of those involved in the case, today we have seen two men be found guilty of damaging not only the tree but also Hadrian’s Wall.
“We often hear references made to mindless acts of vandalism – but that term has never been more relevant than today in describing the actions of those individuals.
“At no point have the two men given an explanation for why they targeted the tree – and there never could be a justifiable one.”
He added: “Throughout, we have recognised the strength of feeling not only here in the North East – but also further afield – that the felling has caused.
“We understand that remains to this day, and would ask that people continue to respect the judicial process as we now await sentencing.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the public and our partners, who have supported our investigation throughout and helped ensure those responsible have been brought to justice.”
A spokesperson for the National Trust said: “We would like to thank Northumbria Police and the Crown Prosecution Service for their work in bringing this case to a resolution
“The needless felling of the Sycamore Gap tree shocked people around the country and overseas, demonstrating the powerful connection between people and our natural heritage. It was felt particularly deeply here in the north east of England where the tree was an emblem of the region and the backdrop to many personal memories.
“We’re now focussed on creating a positive legacy for the tree, working in partnership with others. This includes planting the 49 ‘Trees of Hope’ grown from the original sycamore in communities across the UK later this year.”
A spokesperson for Historic England, said:“We welcome today’s verdict and would like to thank Northumbria Police and the Crown Prosecution Service for their ongoing support and hard work to bring this case to justice.
“The loss of the Sycamore Gap tree and damage to Hadrian’s Wall, which is legally protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a World Heritage Site, was felt deeply in the North East, but also nationally and internationally.
“The needless destruction in September 2023 saw an outpouring of grief and disbelief that showed the strength of people’s connection with nature and heritage.
“We will continue to work with partners to create a lasting memory of the tree for people so that it will not be forgotten.”
A spokesperson for Northumberland National Park Authority said: “Northumberland National Park Authority notes the outcome of the court hearing today.
“The felling of Sycamore Gap has been difficult for people to understand and come to terms with, as it meant so much to so many.
“Our focus remains on ensuring positive outcomes from this tragic act and Northumberland National Park Authority will continue to work with partners to ensure the Sycamore Gap legacy is fitting for people, place and nature.
“There are shoots from the stump growing defiantly, saplings from the seeds have become ‘Trees of Hope’ in communities across the UK and the largest section of the tree will have a new home at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre as a beautiful installation, so those who had a connection to the tree can continue to do so.”
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “The unfathomable felling of the Sycamore Gap Tree generated outrage and upset among many people who had taken Northumberland’s iconic tree to heart.
“As the loss was felt across the community and further afield, generating considerable public interest and mounting pressure, officers responded with an intense and determined investigation.
“With evidence meticulously stacked against them, today the courts found two men guilty for this deliberate act of vandalism. Their convictions come thanks to public information sharing, partner support and the committed efforts and hard work of Northumbria Police officers.
“There was no remorse, but there was compelling evidence, and now there will be justice.”
Gale Gilchrist, Chief Crown Prosecutor at CPS North East, said:
“For over a century, Sycamore Gap has been an iconic natural landmark in the North East of England, bringing immeasurable joy to those visiting the area.
“In just under three minutes, Graham and Carruthers ended its historic legacy in a deliberate and mindless act of destruction.
“As news of their crime spread the following day, the pair exchanged messages, revelling in the public outcry they had caused.
“Thanks to an outstanding investigation on the part of our police partners, the Crown Prosecution Service was able to build a robust case against both men and bring them to trial.
“The international reaction of disapproval and anger following the destruction at Sycamore Gap illustrates how keenly the public has felt the loss of this beloved site, and we hope our community can take some measure of comfort in seeing those responsible convicted today.”
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