Pair guilty of felling world-famous Sycamore Gap tree
Two men from Cumbria have been found guilty of illegally cutting down the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree, a cherished landmark near Hadrian’s Wall. The iconic tree, which stood for centuries and featured in countless photographs, was reduced to a stump in a matter of minutes.
Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were each convicted of two counts of criminal damage in relation to the felling, which took place in September 2023 and sparked widespread public outrage.
According to Northumbria Police, neither man offered any explanation for their actions. However, prosecutors described how the pair appeared to take satisfaction in the national reaction, “revelling in the public outcry” as the news spread.
The Crown Prosecution Service said: “In just under three minutes, Graham and Carruthers ended [the tree’s] historic legacy in a deliberate and mindless act of destruction.” The motive behind the vandalism remains unclear, but the impact of their actions has been deeply felt across the UK.
The men will be sentenced on 15 July with criminal damage having a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.