Guilty Verdict for Men Who Destroyed Iconic Sycamore Gap Tree

Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were found guilty of the deliberate destruction of the Sycamore Gap tree, a cherished landmark in northern England, igniting national indignation.

Two men have been convicted for the deliberate destruction of Britain’s iconic Sycamore Gap tree, a move that prosecutors labeled a "moronic mission." Daniel Graham, aged 39, and 32-year-old Adam Carruthers faced the Newcastle Crown Court, where they were found guilty of criminal damage, despite denying the charges.

The historic Sycamore Gap tree, located alongside Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was discovered felled on September 28, 2023, sparking widespread sorrow and anger. During the trial, prosecutor Richard Wright revealed that the two men drove from Carlisle to the site, where they filmed the illegal act with a cellphone. Evidence presented indicated that Graham kept a segment of the tree as a trophy, showing messages between the duo expressing excitement over the media attention following the incident.

The Sycamore Gap tree, a landmark for over a century, had significant cultural importance and had featured in the 1991 film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." The court learned that it was cut down using a chainsaw in a matter of minutes on the night of September 27, 2023. Jurors were shown the chilling footage captured by Graham, alongside images of the saw next to a wooden wedge in his vehicle. Sentencing for the convicted men is scheduled for July 15, and this remains an ongoing story with further developments awaited.