Two Men Convicted of Cutting Down Iconic Sycamore Gap Tree

Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were convicted of criminal damage for cutting down the iconic Sycamore Gap tree near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, England, in September 2023. The tree, valued at over £620,000, was a globally recognized landmark featured in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and held significant cultural and historical importance. The pair drove through a storm at night to fell the tree with a chainsaw, filming the act and later boasting about it via messages and voice notes as the story went viral worldwide. Prosecutors described their actions as "the arboreal equivalent of mindless thuggery," highlighting the public outrage and sadness caused by the destruction. Despite initially blaming each other, evidence including video footage, travel records, and communications led to their conviction, with the damage to Hadrian’s Wall also estimated at over £1,100. Both men face up to ten years in prison for their actions, which have been widely condemned as a senseless attack on a cherished natural and historical landmark.