Idiot pals GUILTY of chopping down iconic Sycamore Gap tree in dead of night during ‘act of mindless thuggery’
TWO idiot pals have been found guilty of chopping down the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in an act of “mindless thuggery”.
Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, filmed themselves in the dead of night using a chainsaw for their “moronic mission”.
It took just two minutes and 41 seconds to cut down the tree, which had stood next to Hadrian’s Wall for more than a century.
As the pair’s sick act sent shockwaves across the country, they brazenly boasted to each other about going “viral”.
Carruthers and Graham have now been found guilty of two counts of criminal damage following just over five hours of jury deliberation.
The pair, who were remanded into custody, were warned they could face a “significant period” in jail when they are sentenced on July 15.
The Honourable Mrs Justice Lambert warned the former pals that her sentencing powers include a “significant period of custody”.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the friends struck in September 2023 after driving from Carlisle overnight during Storm Agnes to cut down the “most famous tree in the world”.
Grainy footage showed one of the pair using a chainsaw to fell it at around 12.30am while the other filmed.
They took a wedge of the ancient tree with them in the boot of Carruthers’ Range Rover as a “trophy”.
Prosecutor Richard Wright KC said: “For over a century, a Sycamore tree had stood in a dip, next to Hadrian’s Wall.
“The tree became a famous site, reproduced countless times in photographs, feature films, and art.
“It was held high in the affections of so many members of the public and had come to be known as the ‘Sycamore Gap’.
“By sunrise on Thursday 28 September, 2023, the tree had been deliberately felled with a chainsaw in an act of deliberate and mindless criminal damage.”
Carruthers later sent the damning video to his girlfriend after she shared a clip of their young child.
He gloated: “I’ve got a better video than that.”
Jurors were told the tree was a much-loved landmark and had global significance for its position on the former frontier of the Roman empire.
But as the rest of the world were left horrified by the act, Carruthers and Graham sent each other bragging voice notes.
One person had written on Facebook that there are “some weak people that walk this earth, disgusting behaviour”.
Graham then asked Carruthers: “Weak? F***ing weak? Does he realised how heavy this s**t is?”
Carruthers replied: “I’d like to see him launch an operation like we did last night…I don’t think he’s got the minerals, s****bag.”
Another note from Carruthers to Graham said: “Someone there has tagged like ITV News, BBC News, Sky News, like news, news, news. I think it’s gonna go wild.”
While one from Graham to Carruthers at 11.17am said: “Jeffrey (a name Carruthers uses) it’s gone viral. It is worldwide. It will be on ITV news tonight.”
During their evidence, the former friends turned on each other in a bid to clear their names.
Graham claimed Carruthers phoned him the morning after the tree was felled and confessed it was him.
He claimed the dad-of-two had previously spoken of wanting to cut down the much-loved tree but he “didn’t take it seriously”.
Graham also claimed Carruthers asked him to take the blame for the crime “because he had mental health issues” and would be treated more leniently.
In his own evidence, Carruthers told jurors he was amazed at the public’s reaction as he thought it was “just a tree”.
He added: “I didn’t understand how a tree would be able to hit the headlines as much as it did.
“It was almost as if someone had been murdered.”
Prosecutor Mr Wright said the two men were “in it together from first to last”.
He added: “Owning up to this arboreal equivalent of mindless thuggery would make them public enemy No1.
“Neither of them has got the courage to do that.”
At no point have the two men given an explanation for why they targeted the tree – and there never could be a justifiable one.
Superintendent Kevin Waring
Graham, who ran a groundworks firm, and mechanic Carruthers, denied causing £622,191 worth of criminal damage to the tree and £1,144 worth of criminal damage to Hadrian’s Wall.
Northumberland Superintendent Kevin Waring, of Northumbria Police, said: “The Sycamore Gap tree was an iconic landmark – recognisable across the world – and which held a special place in the hearts of many.
“In September 2023, we woke to the devastating news that the tree had been cut down.
“Since then, we have been carrying out a meticulous investigation to identify those responsible.
“Due to the unwavering commitment of those involved in the case, today we have seen two men be found guilty of damaging not only the tree but also Hadrian’s Wall.
“We often hear references made to mindless acts of vandalism – but that term has never been more relevant than today in describing the actions of those individuals.
“At no point have the two men given an explanation for why they targeted the tree – and there never could be a justifiable one.”
Historic England said they welcomed today’s verdict in a statement.
They added: “The loss of the Sycamore Gap tree and damage to Hadrian’s Wall, which is legally protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a World Heritage Site, was felt deeply in the North East, but also nationally and internationally.
“The needless destruction in September 2023 saw an outpouring of grief and disbelief that showed the strength of people’s connection with nature and heritage.
“We will continue to work with partners to create a lasting memory of the tree for people so that it will not be forgotten.”