Two Men Face Sentencing for Felling Iconic Sycamore Gap Tree

Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers are set to be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court for the illegal felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, a beloved landmark near Hadrian's Wall that stood for nearly 150 years. The men, both from Cumbria, used a chainsaw to cut down the tree in under three minutes during a stormy night in September 2023, with one filming the act on a mobile phone. Convicted in May of two counts of criminal damage, they took a wedge of the trunk as a trophy, which remains unrecovered, and appeared to revel in the widespread outrage their actions caused. The tree was a significant cultural and heritage symbol, featured in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and its destruction sparked national and international headlines. Prosecutors described the act as a “moronic mission,” highlighting aggravating factors such as the damage to a cultural asset and the impact on the local community. The judge warned the defendants they could face a lengthy custodial sentence, with each count carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.