Featured Image Credit: CPS
Topics: Crime, Sycamore Gap tree
James Moorhouse
The two men behind the Sycamore Gap tree felling have been sentenced to four years and three months in prison.
Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were found guilty earlier this year after what has been described as a 'moronic mission' to cut down the historic and beloved sycamore tree in September 2023.
Back in May, the duo were convicted on two counts of criminal damage, to both the tree and Hadrian's Wall. On 15 July, the pair from Cumbria were sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court.
Prosecutors argued that the pair had shown a 'basic lack of decency and courage to own up to what they did', Carruthers' meanwhile, their defence team described it as 'drunken stupidity'.
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Both men denied any involvement in the 'mindless act of vandalism' before their eventual charging and conviction, which delayed and perhaps extended their eventual sentencing.
Judge Justice Lambert ruled that the felling had a 'high degree of planning and preparation', though she cannot be sure when the plan was made, the lengths in which the men took in terms of getting to the tree's location and using the correct equipment 'took effort'.
She ruled that it was Mr Carruthers who had cut the tree down, with Mr Graham deemed equally-culpable after filming the act on his phone.
The judge sentenced both men to four years and three months in prison, with another six months for the damage to Hadrian's Wall, which will be served concurrently.
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Andrew Poad, the general manager for the National Trust of the Sycamore Gap site, produced the following statement, which was read out in court by barrister Rebecca Brown.
It read: "This iconic tree can never be replaced. It belonged to the people. It was a totemic symbol, for many; a destination to visit whilst walking Hadrian’s Wall, a place to make memories, take photos in all seasons; but it was also a place of sanctuary – a calming, reflective space that people came to year after year.
"Alongside partners, it was clear in the aftermath of the felling how much its loss impacted on the nation, with an outpouring of love and emotion."
The ancient tree had stood in Northumberland for more than 100 years but was felled in less than three minutes by Graham and Carruthers nearly two years ago, with a wedge of the tree also taken home as a 'trophy', although this has never been recovered.
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The tree still featured in Danny Boyle's 28 Years Later recently despite the film being shot in 2024.
Both Graham and Carruthers have been held in custody for their 'own protection' since the guilty verdict was given in May.