Sycamore Gap Tree Vandal Freed After Just 10 Months in Prison
Adam Carruthers, the man responsible for felling the beloved Sycamore Gap tree, has been released from prison after serving a mere 10 months of his four-year and three-month sentence. The 33-year-old was convicted in May 2025 alongside his former friend, Daniel Graham, aged 40, for the deliberate destruction of the iconic tree and damage to Hadrian's Wall in September 2023.
Details of the Crime and Conviction
Carruthers, from Wigton in Cumbria, used a chainsaw to cut down the tree while Graham filmed the act. The pair had driven 40 miles from the Carlisle area to the Sycamore Gap site on September 28, 2023. During the trial, a video from Graham's phone was shown, depicting Carruthers chopping down the tree, which subsequently fell onto Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The court heard that the criminal damage amounted to £622,191 for the tree and an additional £1,144 for the wall, both properties owned by the National Trust. Prosecutors also alleged that the men took a wedge from the tree as a trophy, though it was never recovered.
Release Under Home Detention Curfew
Carruthers has been freed under the government's Home Detention Curfew Scheme, which permits prisoners to serve part of their sentence at home. He is now under curfew with an electronic tag, required to spend between nine and twelve hours daily at his registered address in Wigton. He has returned to work at Cumbria Turf in Kirkbride, his employer identified during the trial.
Originally, Carruthers was expected to serve a maximum of 40% of his sentence, with a release date set for January 2027. However, the curfew scheme allowed for release after half of that time, leading to his freedom on March 15 this year. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson emphasized that those released under this scheme face strict licence conditions and can be returned to prison if rules are broken.
Public and Local Reaction
Local residents and visitors have expressed shock and disappointment at Carruthers' early release. Steve Blair, general manager of the Twice Brewed Inn near Sycamore Gap, stated he was "shocked" to learn of Carruthers' return home. The pub, which welcomes many walkers along Hadrian's Wall, houses a slice of the felled tree.
One walker in Northumberland described the release as "unbelievable" and argued that Carruthers "shouldn't be at liberty" given the cultural and environmental impact of his actions. Another commented that the punishment might be "a little soon" in measuring justice for the crime.
Background and Character Insights
Neighbors in Wigton described Carruthers as a "bit of an idiot" who enjoyed unconventional activities like riding a mobility scooter as a child. Locals humorously noted that the crime involved "the man with no friends" (Graham) teaming up with "the man with no brains" (Carruthers).
Graham admitted in court that he had limited social interactions, primarily with his partner and briefly with Carruthers after they met. The pair fell out before trial, each blaming the other for the "moronic mission" that shocked the nation.
Judge Mrs Justice Lambert, during sentencing last July, stated that both men were "equally culpable" for felling the tree. The case highlighted the severe consequences of vandalism against cherished natural and historical landmarks, sparking ongoing debates about sentencing and rehabilitation for such crimes.
