Two men have been found guilty of criminally damaging the iconic Sycamore Gap tree and Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, cut down the cherished tree with a chainsaw during Storm Agnes in the early hours of 28 September 2023.
The jury at Newcastle Crown Court heard the men saw the act as a “bit of a laugh” and later “revelled” in the worldwide attention. Prosecutor Richard Wright KC described the crime as a “moronic mission” and the “arboreal equivalent of mindless thuggery”. The men showed no emotion as the unanimous guilty verdicts were delivered after five hours of deliberation.
Judge Mrs Justice Lambert remanded both men into custody, warning they could face “a lengthy period” in jail. Sentencing is scheduled for 15 July. The court heard the men deliberately chose a stormy night to make felling easier, and one filmed the act on Graham’s iPhone. A wedge of the trunk was taken as a trophy and has not been recovered.
Both men denied the charges, claiming they were at home in Cumbria at the time. However, evidence showed Graham’s car and phone were used, and both had footage on their phones. They exchanged messages about the resulting headlines. The Woodland Trust has called for new legislation to protect heritage trees, similar to listed buildings.
