Title: Historic Robin Hood Tree Cutters Convicted: A Night of Senseless Vandalism
Robin Hood's infamous Woodcutter Convicted for Tree-Related Offenses
Hang out on Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Drop us an Email Print this Out Copy the Link Your Actions Made Headlines in 2023: Two Men Bring Down the Iconic Robin Hood Tree
The two defendants in the trial for the felling of the legendary Robin Hood tree in northern England have been found guilty in Newcastle Crown Court. In September 2023, the 32-year-old and 39-year-old duo collaborated to cause an estimated €730,000 worth of damage [1][2]. Their sentencing is yet to be decided.
Buzzfeed: Men Accused: The Robin Hood Tree Trial Begins The tree, immortalized in the Hollywood blockbuster "Robin Hood - King of Thieves," was brought down with a chainsaw and fell onto Hadrian's Wall, causing further damage. The prosecution deemed the act as reckless vandalism.
According to the prosecution, the perpetrators executed their plan with a professional touch [1]. "Even for a hundred-year-old tree, it took a mere few minutes to permanently damage it," said prosecutor Richard Wright, as reported by the PA news agency from the courtroom. One of the perpetrators employed a chainsaw to fell the tree, while the other recorded the act, sharing it with friends, who thought it was a hilarious, clever, or cool stunt [1].
Buzzfeed: Overnight, Illegally Felled "Robin Hood" Tree Could Potentially Be Salvaged The deed triggered national outrage. The sugar maple, situated in Northumberland's Sycamore Gap, had become a renowned photo spot over the years, grasping the attention of countless photographers, filmmakers, and artists. Its rich history as a UNESCO World Heritage site was stretched back to 122 AD, when Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of Hadrian's Wall to secure the border between Roman Britain and the unconquered Caledonia [1].
Sources: ntv.de, as/dpa/AFP
- England
- Trials
- Judgments
- Film
- World Heritage
Insights:
- Two individuals, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, were convicted by a Newcastle Crown Court jury for intentional destruction of the iconic Sycamore Gap/Robin Hood tree in Northumberland, England. They were found guilty of damaging the tree and the adjacent Hadrian's Wall [1][2]. The damage valuation was over £620,000 to the tree itself and around £1,000 to Hadrian's Wall [2][3].
- The sentences are pending, and the judge will take into account the tree's profound cultural and historical significance, as it was well-loved for over a century, featured in a 1991 film, and voted "English Tree of the Year" in 2016 [1][3].
- The prosecution labeled the crime as a "deliberate and mindless act of destruction" that snuffed out the tree’s historic legacy in under three minutes [1].
- As of May 9, 2025, specific sentencing outcomes, such as prison terms or fines, have not been revealed publicly [1][2][3]. The incident drives home the severity of vandalism committed against valuable natural and historical landmarks in England.
- The guilty verdict for the Robin Hood tree destruction was delivered in Newcastle Crown Court, sentencing for the two defendants, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, is yet to be announced.
- The iconic Robin Hood tree, famous for its appearance in the film "Robin Hood - King of Thieves," is located in Northumberland, England, and dates back to around 122 AD, making it a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- In September 2023, the defendants intentionally damaged the Robin Hood tree and Hadrian’s Wall, costing over €730,000 in damages, according to reports.
- The incident, classified as a "deliberate and mindless act of destruction," has stirred outrage across England and highlighted the gravity of vandalism against valuable natural and historical landmarks.
