Evidence portraying purported incident of the 'Sycamore Gap tree's falling' presented during trial of two suspects
Famous Sycamore Gap Tree Crash Footage Shown to Jury
A video purportedly showing the notorious fall of the Sycamore Gap tree, set to the sound of a chainsaw, was played in court for two defendants, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers. Each man is charged with damaging the tree and Hadrian's Wall overnight on September 28, 2023.
These groundskeepers, aged 39 and 32, stand accused of using a chainsaw to bring down the tree and crash it onto Hadrian's Wall during a storm night. The damage to the tree alone was valued at £622,191, while the Roman wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sustained £1,144 in damages[1].
The video, recovered from Graham's phone, was split into two sections: a raw, dark version and an enhanced black-and-white clip, which displayed a figure working on the tree's trunk before it tumbled down. The original footage was adjusted for contrast, framed, and brightened to improve visibility[4].
The prosecution alleges the defendants carried out the deed during Storm Agnes[4]. As of the latest update, the trial is still in progress at Newcastle Crown Court. The sycamore and Hadrian's Wall belong to the National Trust.
The tree, situated in Northumberland, has been a notable feature and favorite among locals and tourists for decades[2]. Known as the Sycamore Gap since the 1980s, it stands as a symbol and has expanded its recognition through various media representations. The spot even bears emotional significance, with wedding proposals, family visits, and even ashes being scattered there[6].
Messages exchanged between the two defendants reveal a sense of pride in their actions[3]. Graham spoke of the tree's stump, labeling it as "professional," while Carruthers showed screengrabs of comments suggesting the culprit possessed the expertise to fell large trees[3]. Both defendants also engage in banter, with Carruthers defending himself against any criticisms.
As the trial moves forward, it is yet to be determined whether Graham and Carruthers are guilty of the charges they face.
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Sources[1] BBC[2] The Guardian[3] The Times[4] Chronicle Live[5] ITV[6] Telegraph
- The footage of the Sycamore Gap tree crash, originally shown on ITV, was recorded in 2023 and is now being presented as evidence in the trial of Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers.
- Despite the environmental and historical impact of the Sycamore Gap tree's destruction, the defendants appear to take a sense of pride in their actions, as indicated by their messages shared between them.
- The space-and-astronomy, general-news, and crime-and-justice sections of our website cover all aspects of the trial, including the charges against Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers for their alleged crime in 2023.
- The crash of the Sycamore Gap tree during Storm Agnes in 2023 not only damaged the tree and Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also caused the environmental-science community to consider the long-term effects on the local ecosystem.
- In addition to the financial impact of the Sycamore Gap tree crash, the incident has also prompted discussions about the role of public figures as jurors, following the revelation that two jurors involved in the case are environmental-science students.
