By Dylan Bettencourt
- Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, each sentenced to four years and three months in jail for cutting down trees.
- The judge called it a “moronic mission” for attention as prosecutors prove the crime was planned with messages sent between the men.
Two men have been sent to prison for cutting down one of the UK’s most loved trees.
Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, used a chainsaw to cut down the Sycamore Gap tree next to Hadrian’s Wall in 2023. They were each sentenced to four years and three months in jail.
The tree was over 100 years old and was known around the world. People went there to celebrate birthdays, propose, scatter ashes or just enjoy the view.
Judge Mrs Justice Lambert said Carruthers cut down the tree while Graham filmed him. She said they did it for attention and called it a “moronic mission”.
Carruthers said he was drunk, but the judge didn’t believe him. Prosecutors said the crime was planned, and the men even sent each other messages about it, The Guardian reported.
The court saw video of the tree falling and proof that Graham drove them there with the chainsaw.
Andrew Poad from the National Trust said people were shocked and heartbroken. “The tree belonged to the people,” he said.
Carruthers’ lawyer said he had never been in trouble before and would regret this for life.
Graham’s lawyer said his client had received hate mail and tried to take his own life after the arrest.
Kim McGuinness, a local mayor, said the sentence could never bring back the tree.
One woman, Sheila Hillman, 78, travelled far to watch the men get sentenced. “I’m heartbroken. That tree was special,” she said.
Pictured above: The Sycamore Gap tree before it was cut down.
Image source: Visit Northumberland
