The two men who cut down the famous tree at Sycamore Gap out of “sheer bravado” have each been jailed for four years and three months.
Former friends Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were convicted of criminal damage to the much-loved tree, which had stood for more than 100 years in a fold in the Northumberland landscape.
They were also convicted of criminal damage to Hadrian’s Wall, caused when the sycamore fell on the ancient monument in September 2023.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the two engaged in a “moronic mission” to cut down the landmark, travelling for more than 40 minutes from their homes in Cumbria, then carrying their equipment across pitch-black moorland during a storm in September 2023.
They took a wedge from the tree as a trophy that has never been recovered, and revelled in the media coverage as news of the vandalism caused national and international headlines.
On Tuesday Mrs Justice Lambert jailed the pair, saying their motivation was still not clear but a large factor seemed to be “sheer bravado”.
Key points
- Defendants jailed for cutting down Sycamore Gap tree
- Roles of defendants revealed in cutting down of treee
- Minister vows stronger protections after ‘devastating’ vandalism
- Daniel Graham sent 'unpleasant' hate mail
- Defendants admit going on a mission, prosecution say
Part of felled Sycamore Gap tree to go on permanent display
19:26 , Jabed Ahmed
Carruthers blamed drunkenness as motive, but judge rejected explanation
18:57 , Jabed AhmedIn court, Carruthers’ barrister, Andrew Gurney, said his client finally offered an explanation: that the crime was a product of “drunken stupidity” after he had consumed a bottle of whisky.
“He felled that tree and it is something he will regret for the rest of his life,” Mr Gurney told the judge, adding that Carruthers “wishes to cleanse his conscience” of what happened.
But Mrs Justice Lambert said Carruthers’ account was not credible, given the skill and care involved in the felling. “It was not the work of someone whose actions were significantly impaired through drink,” she said.
A 78-year-old great-grandmother who spent £500 on travel and accommodation to see the Sycamore Gap vandals sentenced has said justice was not done.
Sheila Hillman and her husband John took the train from Wolverhampton to be at Newcastle Crown Court to see Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers sentenced.
Staying at a nearby hotel, the couple said the bill would come to £500, but she felt she needed to be in court to see the judicial process completed.
Outside court, the retired office manager said: “Seeing the tree broke my heart. I was incensed.
“Then they got four years and three months and it’s likely they will serve two and a half.
“I wanted to be here to see justice done but we haven’t got it.
“I don’t think it’s long enough.”
Watch | Sycamore Gap detective reflects on motive behind tree vandalism
17:52 , Jabed AhmedCrime filmed on mobile phone and shared between defendants
17:34 , Jabed AhmedThe court heard the destruction of the historic sycamore took under three minutes and was filmed in its entirety.
Police found a two-minute and 41-second video on Graham’s phone, timestamped around 12.30am on 28 September 2023, showing Carruthers cutting the tree down while Graham filmed.
The footage had been sent to Carruthers, and the next day, the men exchanged voice notes and messages marvelling at how the story had gone “wild” and “viral” in the media.
The judge said this behaviour contradicted any claim that Graham was merely an unwilling bystander, noting he “appeared to revel” in the aftermath of the crime.
Watch | Moment pair sentenced for felling Sycamore Gap tree
17:16 , Jabed AhmedThe ‘bully’ and the ‘silly man with silly ideas’: How Sycamore Gap fellers brought shame on tight-knit communities
16:53 , Jabed Ahmed
Sycamore Gap: How a ‘bully’ and a ‘silly man’ brought shame on tight-knit communities
Sycamore Gap ‘belonged to the people’, National Trust tells court
16:41 , Jabed AhmedAndrew Poad, a National Trust manager, gave a victim impact statement which was read in court, saying: “This iconic tree can never be replaced.
“Whilst the National Trust has cared for it on behalf of the nation, it belonged to the people. It was totemic.”
Mr Poad said an email address set up within days of the felling for people to share thoughts received 600 responses in a month.
One said: “My husband proposed to me at Sycamore Gap under its leafy shelter. A few years ago, after lockdown, we took our children to see and walk the same section of the wall.
“I’m so glad we got to share such a beautiful and special spot with them before it was gone.”
Comment | Victoria Richards: It’s not ‘just a tree’: The Sycamore Gap vandals got what they deserved
16:26 , Jabed Ahmed
It’s not ‘just a tree’: The Sycamore Gap vandals got what they deserved
Minister vows stronger protections after ‘devastating’ vandalism
16:13 , Jabed AhmedNature minister Mary Creagh said of the Sycamore Gap sentences imposed on Tuesday: “Today’s sentencing has seen justice done, but it will not bring this majestic tree back.
“Once a historic tree is felled, it is lost forever, and I share people’s anger at this shocking act of environmental vandalism.
“I hope these individuals come to appreciate the impact their actions have had, and they have the chance to put right their wrongs.
“Heartbreaking attacks like this are devastating and we are considering how to give greater protections to trees of historic importance.”
National Trust to plant seedlings from Sycamore Gap tree after vandalism
15:57 , Jabed AhmedThe National Trust, which owned the tree, said it had received thousands of messages from well-wishers after the tree was attacked.
It has grown seedlings from the original sycamore, which will be distributed to good causes around the country.
A spokesperson said: “The Sycamore Gap tree was iconic and represented thousands of cherished trees across the country that benefit people, nature, and climate.
“We remain committed to working with partners to secure stronger protections for these irreplaceable natural treasures.”
A spokesperson for Northumberland National Park Authority said: “Whilst today marks the end of the judicial process, work alongside our partners will continue, as we focus on reflecting public feeling about the tree and its cultural significance, as well as doing more for nature for the benefit of us all.”
Judge says vandals felled iconic tree ‘for sheer bravado’
15:51 , Jabed AhmedMrs Justice Lambert said one of the main reasons for the offence on Hadrian’s Wall appeared to be “sheer bravado”.
She told the defendants: “Felling the tree in the middle of the night in a storm gave you some sort of thrill.
“You revelled in the coverage, taking pride in what you have done, knowing you were responsible for the crime so many people were talking about.
“Whether that was the sole explanation for what you did, I do not know, however I know you are both equally culpable.”
The judge said the tree had become a “place of special personal significance where marriages were proposed and tributes to loved ones were left”.
She added: “It was a place of peace and tranquility to which people returned again and again.”
The judge said there had been “an extraordinary social impact” to the offence and that it had caused “widespread distress”.
Timeline: How the Sycamore Gap tree felling that shocked the nation unfolded as culprits jailed
15:50 , Jabed Ahmed
Timeline: How the Sycamore Gap tree felling that shocked the nation unfolded
How police caught the defendants
15:42A week ago, we spoke to the police detective in charge of catching Adam Carruthers and Daniel Graham.
Detective Inspector Calum Meikle explained the force relied on a single strand of intelligence which he said “bore fruit”.
The son of a forester, the detective was well suited for the role and took it upon himself to catch the pair.
Read more here:
How a ‘single strand of intelligence’ brought down the Sycamore Gap tree fellers
Motive still not clear, concludes the judge
15:36 , Alex RossMrs Justice Lambert said the defendants’ motivation for felling the Sycamore Gap tree is still not clear.
She revealed that Adam Carruthers had said what happened was “a blur”, and that Daniel Graham had “just went along with it”.
She told them: “Adam Carruthers, you told a probation officer you had no idea why you carried out the crime and could offer no explanation.
“You said you had drunk a bottle of whisky after a tough day and everything was a blur.
“Daniel Graham, as during the trial, your main focus seemed to be to heap as much blame as possible on your co-defendant.
“You now accept you were present but blame him for what happened that night.”
The judge went on to say: “You told the probation officer it was ‘(Carruthers’) dream and his show’ and you just went along with it.”
What the sentencing guidelines said
15:33 , Alex RossThe maximum sentence for criminal damage is 10 years and aggravating factors include whether it was done to a heritage or cultural asset and evidence of wider impact on the community.
Justice Lambert said the social impact was particularly important after a victim impact statement was given by the National Trust.
Andrew Poad, manager of National Trust, had said the damage had led to “an overwhelming sense of loss and confusion was felt across the world”.
He added: “The question was why anyone would do this to such a beautiful tree in such a special place.
“It was beyond comprehension.”
Defendants' parts in chopping down Sycamore Gap tree revealed
15:24Just a recap on an important detail from earlier.
During her sentencing remarks, Mrs Justice Lambert said she could now be sure that Adam Carruthers cut the Sycamore Gap tree down while Daniel Graham filmed him, after admissions they had both made in pre-sentence reports.
She told the defendants: “At the trial in May neither of you accepted any involvement.
“In recent interviews with the Probation Service, although seeking to minimise your culpability, you admitted being present and involved.
“I can now be sure you, Adam Carruthers, were the person who felled the tree and you, Daniel Graham, assisted and encouraged him by driving there and back and not least by filming it on your phone.”
Breaking - Defendants jailed
15:18 , Alex RossDaniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, who felled the tree at Sycamore Gap in Northumberland have each been jailed for four years and three months after they were convicted of two counts of criminal damage.
Damage to Hadrian's Wall warrants custodial sentence
15:16The actual damage to Hadrian’s Wall [a consequence of the falling of the Sycamore Gap tree] is modest, but it is a world heritage site, says Justice Lambert.
She says the damage, for which both defendants were found guilty of, will warrant a custodial sentence.
Defendant's offending not linked to mental health, says judge
15:13 , Alex RossDespite Daniel Graham’s mental health and problems growing up, Justice Lambert says she does not link such issues to his offending.
She also does not consider hate mail received over the felling of the tree as a matter of mitigation.
Defendant's previous convictions mentioned by judge
15:11Daniel Graham’s previous convictions for battery and public order offences are not relevant to the sentencing, says Mrs Justice Lambert.
However, she does point out that he appeared to savour the fact that others, including a teenage boy, were being investigating for the tree being chopped down.
Graham has been diagnosed with a depressive order, he is receiving treatment for.
Tree was a place of special significance
15:05 , Alex RossJustice Lambert is now explaining the impact of the cutting down of three.
“For those who live in Northumberland or love this county, the tree had become a landmark,” she says.
“It has become a place of special significance for others,” she adds.
“It [criminal damage to the tree] caused serious distress to many people.”
'You intended to destroy the tree', judge says
15:00 , Alex RossJustice Lambert says she is “satisfied you intended to destroy the tree”.
She says both are equally culpable for the act.
She says Adam Carruthers said he was drunk having drunk whisky “after a tough day”.
Daniel Graham said the mission belonged to Carruthers.
Term of imprisonment is necessary, says judge
14:58Justice Lambert is now going through the sentencing guidelines she uses to pass sentence.
She says a term of imprisonment is necessary.
She says she is sure the criminal damage to the tree required thought and planning, even if prepared on the same day.
“It took effort,” she says.
Roles of defendants now clear, says judge
14:56 , Alex RossJustice Lambert says she is taking into account the evidence in trial along with pre-sentence reports on their behalf.
She says they have both admitted their role, and she says she can now be sure that Adam Carruthers felled the tree.
Daniel Graham, she says, filmed the act.
Defendants 'revelled in their notoriety'
14:54 , Alex RossJustice Lambert says the pair exchanged images of the tree as they joked about the cutting down of the tree.
They “revelled in their notoriety”, the judge says.
They continued to follow the coverage, including the arrest of a teenager and a former lumberjack, who both later faced no further action.
Wedge or chainsaw never recovered
14:53Justice Lambert says a picture was taken on a mobile phone that showed a wedge of the tree and a chainsaw in the boot of Daniel Graham’s car.
Both items, she says, have never been recovered.
Justice Lambert begins her sentence
14:51Justice Lambert begins by describing what both defendants did.
She says Adam Carruthers marked where the tree was to be cut. She says Daniel Graham took up a viewing point and started filming on his mobile phone.
Having committed the act, she says the pair returned home.
Defendants back in court for sentencing
14:33Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers are back in their seats in the dock.
Flanked by two security guards, both stare straight ahead as we wait for Justice Lambert to return to the courtroom to pass sentence.
The maximum term she can give is 10 years in prison to each defendant.
Slight delay in sentencing
14:27 , Alex RossJust hearing that sentencing has been put back to 2.30pm
Sentencing to begin shortly
14:22 , Alex RossFollowing submissions made my both the prosecution and defence, we’re expecting Mrs Lambert to return very shortly to pass sentence on Adam Carruthers and Daniel Graham.
We’ll bring it to you live, right here.
Judges asks if a four-year sentence would be sufficient
13:50 , Alex RossRichard Wright KC, prosecuting, says the two offences were committed jointly by both defendants throughout.
Mrs Justice Lambert asks if Mr Wright would consider a four-year sentence sufficient.
He says it is not for the Crown to suggest a specific sentence but the guidelines provided “headroom” for the judge to take the starting point of 18 months and then lengthen the jail term when considering aggravating factors.
Daniel Graham suffering from health conditions, court told
13:38 , Alex RossReferring to a previous depressive illness that Daniel Graham had suffered from, which resulted in him going to hospital, Mrs Justice Lambert says she had been told that the condition was in remission.
Chris Knox, defending, agrees and says that he was not asking the judge to give Graham a discounted sentence, but he reaffirms that the defendant was “a man who has had difficulties”.
Mr Knox said Graham will have to rebuild his life when he is eventually released, adding: “He will have to rely on his friends to get himself re-established.”
Daniel Graham was sent 'unpleasant' hate mail
13:25 , Alex RossThe court also hears from the legal representative of Daniel Graham.
Chris Knox says: “He is a troubled man who has had very real difficulties in his life, which have not all been of his own making.”
Mr Knox says Graham, a groundworker, had set up a “proper business which paid tax and did all the appropriate things”.
His home, and the business he operated from it, were attacked after he was remanded in custody, including having windows broken, the barrister says
Graham had also received hate mail which showed “very unpleasant, malign intent towards him,” Mr Knox says.
Carruthers was unaware of the damage and distress he would cause
13:19Andrew Gurney, representing Adam Carruthers, says the consequence of his client’s action to chop down the tree was not something he fully understood.
“I would say that Mr Carruthers’ ignorant and stupid act of cutting down the tree, I don’t believe for one moment that it occurred that the damage, the distress he was going to cause.
“Mr Carruthers is someone who is going to have to bear the burden of what he has done for the rest of his life. You have heard he is a man of previous good character, that is gone.
“He will forever be linked with this act.”
'Drunkenly stupidity' - Carruthers' legal representative explains why he cut down tree
13:05 , Alex RossAfter hearing from the prosecution service, we’re now hearing from Andrew Gurney, defending Adam Carruthers, who turns quickly to the admission referred to earlier.
He says his client committed the “ignorant and stupid act of cutting down the tree”.
He adds: “He does wish to start to cleanse his conscious for what he has done. People, whenever they discuss this case, want to know why?
“Unfortunately this is no more than drunken stupidity that he felled that tree, something he will regret for rest of his life.
“There is no better explanation than that.”
