Sycamore Gap tree: Daniel Graham, Adam Carruthers to face court after tree felling and vandalism

Kayla Sellwood
The Nightly
There has been a new update after the destruction of the centuries-old Sycamore Gap tree.
There has been a new update after the destruction of the centuries-old Sycamore Gap tree. Credit: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Two men will face court on Wednesday after being charged over the destruction of the famous Sycamore Gap tree.

Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, both face criminal charges after damaging the tree and the neighbouring Hadrian’s Wall, which stood next to each other in Northumberland for 200 years.

The pair — who were granted bail after their arrest — will face Newcastle Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon.

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The centuries-old tree — and a UNESCO World Heritage site — was cut down in September and sparked national outrage.

The famous tree featured in the film 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves before it was cut down in an act of vandalism and found with its upper section lying across the historic Roman barrier.

Senior investigation officer in the case Det Ch Insp Rebecca Fenney said: “There has been an ongoing investigation since the Sycamore Gap tree was cut down.”

“As a result of those inquiries, two men have now been charged.

“We recognise the strength of feeling in the local community and further afield the felling has caused, however we would remind people to avoid speculation, including online, which could impact the ongoing case.”

A teenager and a man in his 60s were part of the many arrests police made after the tree felled overnight in September, but were both later told they would face no further action.

Northumberland National Park said it had received 2000 heartfelt messages from people all over the world expressing sadness over the tree’s felling.

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