Centuries-old Sycamore Gap tree felled in mere minutes, alleges prosecution
BREAKING NEWS: LONDON - A beloved site rich in history and culture for over a century took a drastic turn as the iconic Sycamore Gap tree was brutally cut down in the span of mere minutes. This criminal act took place in Northumberland National Park and has since stirred up a national uproar. The fallen tree, a victim of "deliberate and mindless criminal damage," is now on trial at Newcastle Crown Court.
Two men, Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, are being accused of these despicable acts and have each pleaded not guilty to two counts of criminal damage. The estimated value of the tree is staggering, over £620,000 (approximately $830,000), with the damage to the ancient UNESCO World Heritage stone wall assessed at nearly $1,500.
The dramatic moment was captured on grainy, black and white video footage, showing a figure using a chainsaw to pulverize the rings that marked each year of the tree's life. The footage was presented to the jury as the trial began, revealing the branches' rhythmic swaying before the tree's eventual crash onto the stone wall.
Though this tree may not be considered Britain's biggest or oldest, its picturesque setting along the ancient Hadrian's Wall, built by Emperor Hadrian in A.D. 122, made it an attraction for numerous generations. The tree became famous after appearing in Kevin Costner's 1991 film "Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves," and remained a draw for tourists, landscape photographers, and social media enthusiasts.
Prosecutor Richard Wright described the defendants' actions as a "moronic mission," highlighting a trail of evidence such as video and photos connected through metadata. He argued that the defendants boasted of their accomplishment the day after news of the tree's demise began spreading worldwide.
Amidst the tension, the once close friendship between the two men has reportedly fallen apart, with each blaming the other for the heinous act. In his defense, Graham claims his phone and vehicle were used without his knowledge, implicating Carruthers and another man. However, Carruthers denies any involvement and claims he was not present at the scene.
Curiously, as news of the tree's collapse began circulating, the two men exchanged excited messages, reveling in their deed. "I think it's gonna go wild," Carruthers told Graham. "It's gone viral. It is worldwide," Graham replied. These conversations suggest that the pair found enjoyment in the destruction they had caused, viewing it as a clever or humorous move, despite the public outrage that followed.
Although cellphone data, surveillance cameras, and license plate readers provide evidence solidifying the proximity of Graham's phone and car to the crime scene, investigators are still searching for the chainsaw used to cut down the sycamore, as well as the infamous "trophy" taken from the tree as a souvenir - a wedge of wood cut to direct the tree's fall. Additionally, images and video on Graham's phone reveal presence of the wooden wedge prized from the tree in his vehicle.
The trial is ongoing, and while investigators may not have definitively identified who used the saw or filmed the act, prosecutor Richard Wright is confident in their case: "Any person who intentionally assisted, encouraged, or caused the damage to happen is as guilty as the person who actually used the chainsaw. These men were in it together from first to last."
Melley reports for the Associated Press.
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-64665189[2] https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-64668273[3] https://inews.co.uk/news/long-history-sycamore-gap-hadrians-wall-popular-spot-1438177
- The crime committed against the Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland National Park, a site rich in history and culture, is currently on trial at Newcastle Crown Court in England.
- The two men accused of this act, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, have each pleaded not guilty to two counts of criminal damage.
- Prosecutor Richard Wright refers to the defendants' actions as a "moronic mission," pointing to a trail of evidence such as video and photos.
- The trial has sparked national uproar, with the estimated value of the tree at over £620,000, and the damage to the ancient UNESCO World Heritage stone wall assessed at nearly $1,500.
- Amidst the tension, investigators are still searching for the chainsaw used to cut down the sycamore and the infamous "trophy" taken as a souvenir.
- Despite the public outrage and potential punishment, messages exchanged between the defendants suggest they found enjoyment in the destruction they caused.
