Men guilty of felling much-loved British ‘Sycamore Gap’ tree
In a shocking turn of events, two men were found guilty on Friday of the heinous crime of cutting down Britain’s beloved ‘Sycamore Gap’ tree two years ago. This iconic landmark, estimated to be nearly 200 years old, was a prominent feature along Hadrian’s Wall in northern England, attracting photographers, hikers, and even couples seeking a scenic backdrop for marriage proposals.
The significance of the ‘Sycamore Gap’ tree was such that it had made its way onto the silver screen, appearing in the 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.” Its sudden felling in September 2023 sparked widespread grief and outrage among the community.
During the trial at Newcastle Crown Court, prosecutor Richard Wright revealed that Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, had callously and intentionally used a chainsaw to bring down the historic tree, causing irreparable damage not only to the tree itself but also to part of Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The accused men, who had traveled from their homes in the Carlisle area to the Northumberland National Park, denied any involvement in the crime. However, they were both convicted on two counts of criminal damage and are set to be sentenced on July 15.
Chief Crown Prosecutor Gale Gilchrist expressed the profound loss caused by the destruction of the ‘Sycamore Gap’ tree, stating, “For over a century, Sycamore Gap has been an iconic natural landmark in the north east of England, bringing immeasurable joy to those visiting the area. In just under three minutes, Graham and Carruthers ended its historic legacy in a deliberate and mindless act of destruction.”
During the trial, a video of the perpetrators’ “moronic mission,” captured on Graham’s mobile phone, was presented as evidence. The footage showed the ruthless cutting down of the iconic tree, with the men even taking a piece of the tree as a trophy. Their subsequent messages to each other boasted of the worldwide attention their crime had garnered, without providing any justification for their actions.
Despite the devastation caused by the felling of the ‘Sycamore Gap’ tree, there is a glimmer of hope for its revival. The National Trust, a heritage conservation charity responsible for maintaining the site, reported signs of life at the base of the tree last August, raising hopes that this beloved landmark may yet survive.
The legacy of the ‘Sycamore Gap’ tree lives on in the hearts of those who cherished its beauty, and efforts to preserve and protect such natural treasures remain paramount in safeguarding our shared heritage.
