Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers Convicted for Felling 200-Year-Old Sycamore Gap Tree in September 2023 Near Hadrian's Wall, Sentencing on July 15

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Updated May 9, 2025, 04:17 PM

Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, have been found guilty by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court of cutting down the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland, which had stood for about 200 years. The tree, valued at more than £620,000, was felled in September 2023, causing widespread outrage. It was featured in the film 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' and was located near the World Heritage site of Hadrian's Wall. The pair, who were once close friends, drove from Cumbria to the site during Storm Agnes, a journey of about 40 minutes. They used a chainsaw to cut down the tree in less than three minutes, an act described by the prosecution as 'mindless vandalism' and a 'moronic mission'. The tree's fall also caused over £1,000 in damage to Hadrian's Wall. Video evidence showed the tree being cut down, and a wedge from the tree was taken as a trophy. Both men denied the charges and blamed each other during the trial. Graham claimed he was not present at the scene, suggesting Carruthers used his vehicle and phone without his knowledge. Carruthers, on the other hand, maintained he was at home with his partner and newborn baby at the time of the incident. The motive behind the felling remains unclear, though it was suggested in court that the act might have been done 'for a bit of a laugh'. The men were convicted on two counts of criminal damage and are due to be sentenced on July 15, facing potential prison time.

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#Daniel Graham #Adam Carruthers #Newcastle Crown Court #Sycamore Gap #Northumberland #Cumbria #Storm Agnes #Graham #Carruthers

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Sources

news.sky.com(6)reuters.com(4)itv.com(4)bbc.com(4)

Público

@publico_es

The Sycamore Gap, the name given to the tree, became famous when it appeared in the film starring Kevin Costner 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' and had become one of the most photographed in the country https://t.co/b8y8uwdZdM

DW News

@dwnews

Two men have been found guilty of cutting down one of the United Kingdom's most iconic trees—the Sycamore Gap tree, which had stood for around 200 years. The 2023 felling of the much-loved tree in northern England caused widespread outrage. https://t.co/0V5m8651jB