Two former friends who cut down the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in what prosecutors described as a "moronic mission" will be sentenced today at Newcastle Crown Court. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were convicted of criminal damage to the beloved landmark that had stood for more than a century.
The pair were also found guilty of damaging Hadrian's Wall when the ancient sycamore crashed onto the Roman monument. Mrs Justice Lambert will sentence both men, who have been held in custody since their trial in May.
Journey across moorland during storm
The court heard how Graham and Carruthers travelled more than 40 minutes from their homes in Cumbria to reach the famous tree in September 2023. They carried their equipment across pitch-black moorland during a storm to reach the landmark in Northumberland.
One of the men filmed the destruction, though prosecutors said it was never explained precisely who did what or why. The case claimed each man encouraged the other in the vandalism that shocked the nation.
Trophy taken from felled tree
The defendants took a wedge from the tree as a trophy that has never been recovered. They revelled in the media coverage as news of the destruction made national and international headlines.
The sycamore was a symbol of Northumberland and the site of countless family visits. It also featured in the Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Destruction filmed on mobile phone
The tree's destruction, captured on a mobile phone, took less than three minutes to complete. The maximum sentence for criminal damage is 10 years, with aggravating factors including damage to heritage assets and evidence of wider community impact.
When remanding the pair, Mrs Justice Lambert warned they could face "a lengthy period in custody". The former friends have fallen out since their arrests, with each now blaming the other.
ANPR cameras tracked journey
Graham's Range Rover was picked up on automatic number plate recognition cameras travelling between Carlisle and Sycamore Gap on the night of September 27, 2023. His mobile phone was traced to masts making the same journey.
Police found a two-minute and 41-second video on Graham's phone showing the sycamore being cut down at 12.30am on September 28. The footage had been sent to Carruthers.
Messages showed excitement over coverage
Messages and voice notes between the pair the next day showed them discussing how the story was going "wild" and "viral". At trial, Graham claimed Carruthers had a fascination with the sycamore, describing it as "the most famous tree in the world".
Graham said Carruthers had spoken of wanting to cut it down and kept string in his workshop to measure its circumference. Carruthers denied this and told the court he could not understand the outcry, saying it was "just a tree".
The National Trust, which owned the tree and wall, said the "needless felling" had shocked people around the country and overseas. A spokesperson said it demonstrated "the powerful connection between people and our natural heritage".
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
