Two friends, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, are accused of felling the Sycamore Gap tree with a chainsaw, an act described as "mindless vandalism." Prosecutors say the pair filmed the act, using a deliberate and skilled technique. They allegedly joked about the incident on social media, with the recording serving as a "trophy."
The pair traveled from Carlisle to Northumberland late on September 27, 2023. Graham and Carruthers deny criminal damage charges related to the tree and Hadrian's Wall. The prosecution highlighted the tree's fame and the deliberate nature of the felling.
Photographs and videos from Graham's phone were presented, including a piece of wood believed to be from the tree. The prosecution suggested this was taken as a "trophy." Social media exchanges between the men were presented as evidence of their involvement.
The prosecutor noted the method of cutting the tree indicated knowledge of tree felling. The wedge cut from the tree has never been found. The prosecution's case is that the chainsaw used has not been found, and the defendants had the knowledge, equipment, and a close friendship at the time.
6 Comments
Loubianka
Let’s find out if there was more to this. We can't be so quick to vilify them.
Katchuka
These guys made a mistake, but let’s not ruin their lives over it. Everyone deserves a second chance.
Loubianka
Labeling them as criminals is unfair without fully understanding what happened that night.
ZmeeLove
I feel like people are being too harsh. We don’t know the whole story yet.
Africa
It’s easy to judge from the outside. Let’s hear their side before condemning them.
Muchacha
They’re being called ‘vandalists’ but let’s remember that trees are sometimes removed for safety reasons.