Two Men Sentenced Over Sycamore Gap Tree Vandalism in England

Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were each sentenced to four years and three months in prison for felling the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, a beloved 150-year-old landmark situated on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, England. The tree, known for its scenic location and appearance in the 1991 film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," was cut down during a storm in September 2023 after the men drove 30 miles to the site. The court found them guilty of criminal damage to both the tree and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hadrian's Wall, which was damaged when the tree fell. The judge rejected their claims of drunkenness and highlighted the planned nature of the crime, which caused widespread shock and a sense of loss among the public and conservationists. The largest piece of the tree's trunk has been incorporated into an art installation, and saplings from the original tree are being planted across the UK, while the stump continues to grow new shoots. Although sentenced to over four years, the men will serve no more than 40% of their sentences, including time already spent on remand.