LONDON (AP) — Two vandals who were responsible for cutting down England’s cherished Sycamore Gap tree were sentenced on Tuesday to over four years in prison for damaging the nation’s natural heritage and causing widespread outrage and distress.
Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers embarked on their destructive mission in 2023, armed with a chainsaw on a stormy night, and deliberately felled the grand sycamore tree onto Hadrian’s Wall. The prosecutor described their actions as “moronic” as they were found guilty of two counts of criminal damage – one for destroying the tree and the other for damaging the ancient wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Justice Christina Lambert handed down a sentence of four years and three months in Newcastle Crown Court, highlighting the premeditation and planning involved in the destruction of the tree, and the significant emotional impact it had on the public. Lambert noted that the vandals seemed to have carried out the act for the thrill and notoriety it brought them.
The sentencing marked a unique case in the U.K., as it was the first time someone had been imprisoned for illegally cutting down a tree. Sarah Dodd, a lawyer specializing in tree law, emphasized the deep loss felt by many, stating that the Sycamore Gap tree held sentimental and historical significance beyond its physical form.
The tree, situated between two hills, had gained popularity for its appearance in the film “Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves” and had become a beloved landmark for visitors and locals alike. Following the incident, messages of sorrow and condemnation poured in from across the globe, underscoring the profound impact of the tree’s destruction.
The culprits initially denied involvement but later admitted their culpability when faced with the consequences. Despite offering explanations to the probation officers, the judge expressed skepticism about the sincerity of their statements. The felling of the tree, a place of solace and remembrance, left a void that could never be filled, as emphasized by Andrew Poad from the National Trust.
Digital evidence linking the men to the crime revealed the significant value of the tree, both monetarily and symbolically. The loss of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree served as a stark reminder of the irreplaceable connection between nature, history, and human experience.
At around 150,000 pounds ($200,000), Graham, a small construction business owner, and Carruthers, a mechanic who occasionally worked with him, were once close friends. However, tensions arose as their court case progressed, leading to a falling-out. Graham accused Carruthers of framing him, while Carruthers’ lawyer dismissed Graham’s claims as implausible and an attempt to shift blame. In May, both were swiftly convicted by jurors based on a substantial amount of digital evidence.
The evidence showed that Graham’s Range Rover was located near the tree at the time it was cut down. Grainy video footage captured on Graham’s phone, along with metadata indicating it was recorded at the tree’s location, further incriminated him. Additionally, digital records revealed Graham’s vehicle heading back to their residence approximately 40 minutes away, while Carruthers received a video of their infant son from his girlfriend during the same time.
During the trial, a video emerged showing a figure using a chainsaw to bring down the tree in under three minutes. Prosecutors could not definitively identify who performed the act or recorded it, but asserted that both men were equally responsible. Lambert, the presiding judge, agreed with this assessment, stating that recent confessions pointed to Carruthers as the one wielding the saw while Graham filmed the incident.
In defense of his client, lawyer Andrew Gurney attributed the incident to “drunken stupidity,” acknowledging that Carruthers regretted his role in cutting down the tree. Gurney emphasized that there was no explanation beyond this regrettable mistake.
