Two men who felled the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland have been sentenced to four years and three months in prison. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were convicted of criminal damage after cutting down the tree with a chainsaw in September 2023, causing widespread sadness and anger.
Sentencing at Newcastle Crown Court, Mrs Justice Lambert described the act as a “moronic mission” and rejected claims of drunkenness, stating that “sheer bravado” and “some sort of thrill” were likely motives. The tree, which stood beside Hadrian’s Wall, a Unesco World Heritage site, was a beloved beauty spot for picnics, proposals, and memorials.
Prosecutor Richard Wright KC highlighted the planning involved, including driving 40 minutes to a car park and walking 20 minutes to the site with specialist equipment. The felling was captured on Graham’s phone, and messages showed the men revelling in the infamy. Both denied the offence but were found guilty in May.
The court heard a victim impact statement from Andrew Poad of the National Trust, describing the public response as “unprecedented” and the loss as “beyond comprehension.” Carruthers’ barrister claimed the act was “drunken stupidity,” while Graham’s defence noted he had attempted suicide while on remand. The judge concluded both were equally culpable and had taken pride in the coverage of their crime.
