During the trial at Newcastle Crown Court, one of the defendants in the case related to the cutting down of the renowned Sycamore Gap tree claimed that his co-accused, who he referred to as his “best pal”, confessed to the act. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of September 28, 2023, involved the felling of the tree, which had stood on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland for over a century. Both individuals, Daniel Michael Graham and Adam Carruthers, pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal damage in connection to the tree and the historic Roman Wall.
Evidence presented during the trial illustrated Mr. Graham’s phone and Range Rover were tracked to the location where the tree was felled. Additionally, footage captured on Mr. Graham’s mobile phone allegedly captured the moment the tree was cut down. Testimonies revealed that a piece of wood from the tree was later found as a “trophy” in Mr. Graham’s car boot alongside a chainsaw. Despite these details, Mr. Graham maintained his innocence during the proceedings, stating that he had no involvement in damaging the tree or the Roman wall.
Throughout the trial, Mr. Graham recounted several interactions with Mr. Carruthers that appeared to indicate the latter’s intentions of felling the tree. These exchanges led Mr. Graham to claim that Mr. Carruthers eventually confessed to the act via WhatsApp, although Mr. Graham initially doubted the veracity of the admission. Despite pressure from Mr. Carruthers to take responsibility for the incident, Mr. Graham refused, citing concerns about the potential legal repercussions. The trial featured cross-examinations where Mr. Graham defended his claims against assertions made by Mr. Carruthers’ legal team.
An anonymous call made to Northumbria Police in August 2024 implicated Mr. Carruthers as the perpetrator behind the felling of the tree. Detective Inspector Calum Meikle identified Mr. Graham’s voice in the call, indicating that it had originated from his phone. Mr. Graham acknowledged making the call, criticizing the police’s investigative efforts in identifying the actual culprits. The case remains ongoing as the trial progresses with further evidence and testimonies being presented
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