Two Men Jailed for Cutting Down Iconic Sycamore Gap Tree

TDT | Manama

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Two former colleagues have been sentenced to four years and three months in prison for cutting down the beloved Sycamore Gap tree, a 150-year-old natural landmark located next to Hadrian’s Wall.

Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were found guilty of causing criminal damage to both the historic tree and the UNESCO World Heritage site. Despite denying their involvement, the evidence against them was overwhelming. A jury at Newcastle Crown Court was shown footage the pair had filmed themselves during the act and text messages in which they bragged about their actions.

The judge, Mrs Justice Lambert, called their actions a "deliberate act of vandalism" and dismissed their claim that alcohol had influenced their decision, calling the excuse “not plausible” given the clear planning involved.

During the trial, it was revealed that Carruthers wanted to keep a piece of the tree as a souvenir for his newborn daughter, who was just 12 days old when the tree was felled on September 28, 2023.

The destruction of the iconic tree, which stood proudly along the popular walking trail near Hadrian’s Wall, sparked public outrage and sadness across the UK. Its loss was mourned as both a cultural and environmental tragedy.