Found guilty of the destructive act, two men were convicted at Newcastle Crown Court for the felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, a landmark adored by many and known worldwide. Daniel Michael Graham, hailing from Carlisle, and Adam Carruthers, a resident of Wigton in Cumbria, were found to be responsible for the “mindless thuggery” that led to the demise of the beloved tree. Prosecutors revealed that the pair carried out the destructive act as a reckless prank, unaware of the magnitude of the public backlash that would ensue.
The historic Sycamore Gap tree had stood proudly along Hadrian’s Wall, a symbol of beauty and heritage for over a century before it met its untimely end in the hands of Graham and Carruthers. Embraced by locals and tourists alike, the tree had become a cherished part of the landscape and even made its mark in popular culture through its appearance in the 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” starring Kevin Costner. Despite its significance, the two former friends orchestrated a covert operation under the cover of darkness, wielding a chainsaw to bring down the beloved tree in a matter of minutes.
Following the jury’s deliberation, both men were remanded into custody pending their sentencing, scheduled for July 15. The value of the tree, initially estimated at over £620,000, was a subject of contention during the trial. Despite the revised valuation figures, the severity of the men’s actions remained paramount, potentially carrying a sentence of up to 10 years behind bars, as outlined by the court. The National Trust, custodians of the tree for decades, expressed deep sadness over its needless destruction and emphasized the importance of preserving the tree’s legacy through the distribution of saplings grown from its remains.
In the aftermath of the verdict, the authorities highlighted the sheer senselessness of the crime, emphasizing the devastating impact of Graham and Carruthers’ actions. Superintendent Kevin Waring of Northumbria Police reiterated that there could never be a justifiable reason for the wanton destruction of such a historic and beloved landmark. As the legal proceedings unfolded, the true value of the tree was debated, yet the consensus remained that the significance of the crime far outweighed any monetary considerations. With the fate of the perpetrators now sealed, the legacy of the Sycamore Gap tree lives on through the saplings poised to carry on its memory across the country
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
