Sycamore Gap vandals face their fate in English court for felling beloved tree
Share this @internewscast.com

As one individual recorded the infamous event on a phone and another wielded a chainsaw, two men drastically changed the landscape of a cherished portion of Hadrian’s Wall in northern England.

In less than three minutes, the beloved Sycamore Gap tree that had stood for nearly 150 years crashed to the ground.

The fate of the men convicted of the senseless act now lies in the hands of a judge who will sentence them Tuesday in Newcastle Crown Court.

Justice Christina Lambert cautioned Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers that they could be sentenced to a “lengthy period in custody,” after being found guilty in May of two counts of criminal damage each.

Each count carries a penalty of up to 10 years behind bars.

The unauthorized cutting in Northumberland National Park on September 28, 2023, sparked immediate fury, with the news quickly spreading beyond the historic wall erected by Emperor Hadrian in AD 122 to safeguard the northwest boundary of the Roman Empire.

It wasn’t Britain’s biggest or oldest tree, but it was prized for its picturesque setting, symmetrically planted between two hills along the wall that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The tree had long been known to locals but became famous after a cameo in Kevin Costner’s 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.”

It drew tourists, lovers, landscape photographers and even those who spread the ashes of loved ones.

It was voted English “Tree of the Year” in 2016.

Graham, 39, and Carruthers, 32, once close friends who had a falling out since their arrests, denied taking part in the act, claiming they were each at their homes that night. But evidence shown to the jury implicated both men.

Graham’s Range Rover was near the tree around the time it fell. Grainy video of the felling was found on his phone — with metadata showing that it was shot at the location of the tree.

As digital data showed Graham’s vehicle on its way back to where the two lived about 40 minutes away, Carruthers got a text from his girlfriend with footage of their 12-day-old son.

“I’ve got a better video than that,” Carruthers replied.

The jury didn’t hear evidence of a motive for the crime, but prosecutor Richard Wright suggested in his closing argument that the two had been on a “moronic mission” and cut down the tree as a joke.

“They woke up the morning after and … it must have dawned on them that they couldn’t see anyone else smiling,” Wright said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Sri Lanka offloads 208 crew members from second Iranian ship a day after US strike sinks frigate

Sri Lanka Disembarks 208 Crew Members from Second Iranian Vessel Following US Strike on Frigate

Sri Lanka has begun the process of disembarking 208 crew members from…
NYC Dept of Education employee arrested, charged with murder of Bronx father

Shocking Arrest: NYC Education Employee Faces Murder Charges in Bronx Case

A worker from New York City’s education sector has been detained on…
NYPD pair turn Council office into frat-style party pad -- but one is caught drunk on the job: sources

NYPD Officers Allegedly Transform Council Office into Party Spot; One Officer Reportedly Caught Intoxicated at Work, Sources Claim

To serve and protect—sometimes too enthusiastically. Two officers from the NYPD reportedly…
Florida jail worker had sexual relationship with inmate: cops

Shocking Scandal Unveiled: Florida Jail Employee Engages in Illicit Affair with Inmate

Things have taken a turn for the worse for one Florida kitchen…
Jacksonville man charged with murder for alleged role in Baymeadows Road shooting

Jacksonville Resident Faces Murder Charge in Connection to Baymeadows Road Shooting

In a twist of fate, a Jacksonville man already incarcerated on molestation…
Democrats Continue to Slow-Walk Funding of DHS With Latest House, Senate Votes; Watch a Dem Run Away

Democrats Delay DHS Funding Progress Following Recent House and Senate Votes; Lawmaker Avoids Press

On Thursday, Congress made another attempt to secure full funding for the…
Britney Spears arrested in California on suspicion of DUI: Reports and court docs

Britney Spears Faces DUI Allegations in California: Latest Court Documents and Reports Reveal

In a surprising turn of events, Britney Spears has found herself in…
California ‘party mom’ faces reckoning for hosting alcohol-fueled teen sex parties

California Mom Accused of Hosting Teen Parties with Alcohol Faces Legal Consequences

California ‘party mom’ arrives in court for trial Shannon O’Connor, a California…
The story behind Trump's new DHS secretary pick Markwayne Mullin's unique name

Unraveling the Intriguing Story Behind Trump’s New DHS Secretary Pick: Markwayne Mullin’s Unique Name

Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin, a staunch supporter of former President Trump and…
Declan Coady, youngest of six US soldiers killed in Iranian drone strike in Kuwait called his brother hours before death

Declan Coady, the youngest among six US soldiers killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait, reached out to his brother just hours before the tragic event.

In a tragic turn of events, Declan Coady, the youngest among six…
Bianca Censori grilled on embarrassing moment she was allegedly confused for Kim Kardashian in Kanye West lawsuit

Bianca Censori’s Awkward Mix-Up: Mistaken for Kim Kardashian in Kanye West’s Legal Saga

Bianca Censori, the wife of Kanye West, faced a barrage of questions…
Chicago Obama Presidential Center: Chaney Braggs apartments tenants fear displacement, rent price hike

Will the Obama Presidential Center Uplift or Displace? Chicago Tenants Voice Concerns Over Rising Rents

CHICAGO — In a community just three blocks from the anticipated Obama…