Sycamore Gap Tree Fellers Jailed for More Than Four Years
Two men responsible for the destruction of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland have today been sentenced to four years and three months in prison at Newcastle Crown Court.
Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were convicted of criminal damage for felling the world-famous tree and causing additional damage to Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
They also received a concurrent six-month sentence for the damage to the wall.
A ‘Moronic Mission’ to Destroy a National Treasure
The felling, which took place in the dead of night on 28 September 2023, shocked the nation. The two men had driven more than 40 miles from Carlisle to the remote site near Hadrian’s Wall, where they cut down the historic sycamore tree using a chainsaw.
A video discovered on Graham’s phone showed the tree being felled in pitch darkness, crashing backwards onto the wall. The damage was assessed at:
- £622,191 for the tree
- £1,144 for Hadrian’s Wall
Both the chainsaw used and a wood wedge reportedly taken as a trophy have never been recovered.
Defence Claims ‘Drunken Stupidity’ – Judge Rejects It
In court, Carruthers’ defence said the act was one of “drunken stupidity”, claiming he had no memory of the incident. Graham’s barrister described his client as a “troubled man” who had tried to live a responsible life.
But Mrs Justice Lambert dismissed their claims, telling the pair:
“Felling the tree in the middle of the night and in the middle of a storm gave you some kind of thrill… This was not the work of someone whose actions were significantly impaired through drink. You revelled in the coverage, taking pride in what you had done.”
She said the act was rooted in “sheer bravado” and noted the precision of the cut and the effort to document and share the event.
Fallout and Family Reaction
The men, once described in court as “the odd couple,” reportedly fell out spectacularly in the aftermath of the crime.
National Symbol Lost
The Sycamore Gap tree, nestled between two rolling hills near Hadrian’s Wall, was one of the most photographed trees in the UK, featured in films such as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Its loss triggered a wave of national outrage and grief.
The National Trust, who owned the land, has since launched consultations on how best to commemorate the site, including possible replanting or a memorial.
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