Detective Inspector Calum Meikle, a seasoned officer who has handled murder inquiries and major thefts, describes the illegal felling of the Sycamore Gap tree as the most singular case of his career. As a new Channel 4 documentary prepares to air, he speaks exclusively about the investigation that gripped the nation.
A Landmark Case Without Comparison
The felling of the 120-year-old sycamore in Northumberland's Hadrian's Wall country in September 2023 sparked national outrage. DI Meikle, drafted in from Northumbria Police's rural crime team to work with Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Fenney, immediately recognised the case's unusual nature. He stresses that while the emotional impact differed, the investigative rigour matched that of a major crime.
"We were looking for comparative crimes... but there is no comparison. It's so unique," Meikle stated. The scene presented immediate hurdles: a remote location, no witnesses, virtually no CCTV, and no immediate forensic leads. The team's success would hinge on public assistance and meticulous digital detective work.
The Investigation and Dramatic Conviction
The breakthrough came from tip-offs. Intelligence suggested the culprits had kept a part of the felled tree, a detail not released to the public. This led to the arrests of Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers. On their phones, investigators found damning evidence: voice notes discussing their "operation," a video of the act, and a photo of the tree wedge in Graham's car.
After an 18-month investigation, the pair were found guilty and sentenced to over four years in prison. "When the jury came back and found them guilty, that was a real rush of emotion," Meikle recalled, highlighting the immense pressure and public expectation surrounding the case.
The Enduring Mystery of 'Why?'
Despite their convictions, Graham and Carruthers have never publicly explained their motive. The Channel 4 documentary reveals they told prison officers it was a "drunken blur." However, DI Meikle remains sceptical of this explanation.
"It's an awful lot of effort," he argues, pointing out they drove a long distance during a storm, then walked twenty minutes across rough terrain with heavy equipment. "It's not on the spur of the moment. I always said that the tree part was taken as a trophy." This theory suggests a premeditated act, leaving the true motive as the case's final, unanswered question.
The detective also addressed debates over police resources, affirming that his duty is to thoroughly investigate any breach of the law and present the best possible evidence in court.
The two-part documentary, 'The Sycamore Gap Mystery', airs on Channel 4 at 9pm, exploring the public fury and the intricate police work that brought the vandals to justice.
