A man from County Durham has avoided a jail sentence for cutting down the village Christmas tree in Shotton Colliery. The live pine was felled by Dylan McNamara, 26, with the tree having been based on the village green, serving as a memorial to those who died in the world wars, for 10 years.
The tree was cut down on December 10, 2025, just hours after around 100 people had watched the Christmas lights switch-on. McNamara previously admitted criminal damage, and was today handed a 10-week jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, as well as being ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court.
Paul Doney, who led the prosecution in court, explained how the tree had been there for a decade, and was used as a focal point for the village over the Christmas period, as well as being a war memorial. He said its value was in the thousands of pounds but less than £5,000, as it had grown to 20ft tall.
To identify McNamara, of Bruce Glazier Terrace, as the culprit, Durham Constabulary officers examined CCTV, and found a saw hidden behind the fridge in his kitchen. McNamara, who had no previous convictions, must also pay compensation of £520, which will come from his benefits.
A statement was provided by Stuart Wardle, the parish council clerk, saying: "I found it disgraceful that someone could do this to the tree. It is very well-known locally as a war memorial."
Defending, Amrit Jandoo said another person was with McNamara when the tree was felled, but they had not been prosecuted, adding: "This defendant has shamefully brought himself into public ridicule by following another." Mr Jandoo also said that McNamara had been assessed, and that he was found to demonstrate impulsivity and a lack of judgment, before adding that he had been assaulted as a result of his actions.
Rounding out his remarks, he said: "Clearly, this defendant has shown the appropriate remorse and wishes to apologise to the court and to the public of Shotton Colliery", and also said that the reason behind the felling of the tree was "probably a joke, probably some kind of attention seeking", adding that the defendant did not know.
Chairman of the Bench William Unsworth, who was sentencing McNamara, said: "This was not a very nice thing to do, was it, especially when it was a memorial to people who died in the wars?"
Dylan McNamara did not speak to reporters as he left the court, with his head covered by a hood. Durham Constabulary has since clarified that a second person has been charged with criminal damage, adding that they will appear before court next month.
