LONDON (AP) — Vandals who felled England’s cherished Sycamore Gap tree were sentenced to over four years in prison on Tuesday for damaging the nation’s natural heritage and the distress their actions caused.
On a stormy night in 2023, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers embarked on what prosecutors described as a “moronic mission,” using a chainsaw to cut down the iconic sycamore, which then fell onto Hadrian’s Wall.
Both men, aged 39 and 32, respectively, were found guilty of two counts of criminal damage: one for the destruction of the tree and another for the harm caused to the ancient wall, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Judge Christina Lambert imposed a sentence of four years and three months in Newcastle Crown Court, citing the premeditated nature of their actions and the widespread outrage that followed the tree’s destruction. She noted that the defendants seemed to take pleasure in the publicity surrounding their crime.
Sarah Dodd, a tree law expert, expressed that this marked the first time in the U.K. that individuals have been imprisoned for illegally cutting down a tree, highlighting the deep emotional significance of the Sycamore Gap tree to many.
The tree, located between two hills, gained fame after appearing in Kevin Costner’s 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” and was a popular site for tourists and locals alike, even earning the title of English “Tree of the Year” in 2016. Despite initially denying involvement, both men later admitted some responsibility prior to sentencing.
Digital evidence linked the duo to the crime, including Graham’s vehicle being tracked to the scene and video footage found on his phone capturing the act of cutting down the tree. Ultimately, both men share the blame, but the judge indicated that Carruthers had operated the saw while Graham recorded the event.
