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Jurors were presented with mobile phone footage allegedly capturing the moment the beloved Sycamore Gap tree was cut down. Situated on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, the tree had stood for over a century before it was felled during the early hours of 28 September 2023 in what has been described as a “moronic mission” at Newcastle Crown Court. Daniel Michael Graham, 39, from Carlisle, and Adam Carruthers, 32, from Wigton, each face two counts of criminal damage in connection with the tree and the Roman wall.
The pair allegedly made a 40-minute journey in a Range Rover from Cumbria to carry out the tree felling. While one of them used a chainsaw to bring down the tree, the other filmed the act of vandalism on Mr. Graham’s mobile phone, according to the court. They then removed a wedge cut from the trunk as a “trophy” and took pleasure in the public’s outrage in the days that followed. Testimonies from staff at the National Trust and Historic England highlighted the significance of the tree and wall, indicating its importance as a landmark in Northumberland.
Historic England’s senior archaeologist, Tony Wilmott, underscored the cultural value of Sycamore Gap, which gained recognition from its appearance in the 1992 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. The tree’s fall not only damaged the wall but also led to repairs costing around £1,144 for the National Trust and more than £6,000 in staff hours for Historic England. The trial additionally revealed that the defendants tracked to and from the site have shared posts about the incident, with Mr. Graham claiming that the news had gone “viral” globally. The court heard that forensic analysis of the wood wedge taken by the defendants showed strong evidence linking it directly to the felled tree.
Jurors were immersed in testimonies emphasizing the emotional connection people had to the Sycamore Gap tree, symbolizing a place of marriage proposals, family visits, and even scattering the ashes of loved ones. The court also learned of Alice Whysall-Price’s photo, believed to be the final image taken of the tree before its demise, adding a poignant perspective to the loss. The trial is ongoing as more evidence is presented to shed light on the chain of events leading to the tree’s destruction
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