2 men convicted of cutting down iconic Sycamore Gap tree

Published: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 12:31 pm

Two men have been found guilty of the shocking act of vandalism that felled the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland, England. Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were convicted of criminal damage by a Newcastle Crown Court jury on Friday, following the tree's destruction in September 2023. The beloved tree, nestled in a dip along Hadrian's Wall, was a popular landmark, drawing tourists, photographers, and film buffs, having been featured in the 1991 Kevin Costner film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves."

The prosecution presented evidence, including a grainy video from Graham's phone showing the tree being cut down, which was subsequently sent to Carruthers. Despite both men denying involvement and pointing fingers at each other, the jury found them guilty. The motive behind the act remains unclear, with prosecutors suggesting it was a "senseless act of vandalism."

The sentencing is scheduled for July 15, and the judge has indicated the possibility of a "lengthy period in custody," with the maximum sentence for criminal damage being 10 years. The value of the tree and the damage to Hadrian's Wall are still being assessed, but the figures will be considered during sentencing. The destruction of the Sycamore Gap tree sparked widespread outrage, and the guilty verdict brings a measure of closure to the community and those who cherished this iconic natural landmark.

Keywords: Sycamore Gap tree, Hadrian's Wall, criminal damage, Daniel Graham, Adam Carruthers, vandalism, Northumberland, England, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Newcastle Crown Court, sentencing, iconic tree, English Tree of the Year, landmark, destruction, verdict, news, UK, Britain, Kevin Costner

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