Trial Proceeds for Sycamore Gap Tree Defendants

Adam Carruthers and Daniel Graham are on trial at Newcastle Crown Court, accused of criminal damage for allegedly cutting down the iconic Sycamore Gap tree and harming Hadrian’s Wall. Prosecutors allege the pair undertook a premeditated mission to fell the tree, presenting evidence that Carruthers' phone was near the site before the act. Carruthers denies involvement, claiming he was at home with his partner and newborn daughter during the incident, and dismisses prosecution suggestions such as seeking a souvenir for his child. He expressed astonishment at the global public and media outcry, likening the response to a murder case and insisting the tree was 'just a tree.' The trial features detailed examination of the defendants’ messaging and movements. The case has attracted significant national and international attention due to the tree’s cultural significance.