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”.
Read More
‘Bloody hell, that can’t be’: Moment ranger discovered iconic Sycamore Gap tree had been hacked down
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
Watch | Sycamore Gap detective reflects on motive behind tree vandalism
17:52
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Jabed Ahmed
Crime filmed on mobile phone and shared between defendants
17:34
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Jabed Ahmed
The 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
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Jabed Ahmed
The ‘bully’ and the ‘silly man with silly ideas’: How Sycamore Gap fellers brought shame on tight-knit communities
16:53
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Jabed Ahmed
Sycamore Gap ‘belonged to the people’, National Trust tells court
16:41
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Jabed Ahmed
Andrew 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
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Jabed Ahmed
Minister vows stronger protections after ‘devastating’ vandalism
16:13
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Jabed Ahmed
Nature 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
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Jabed Ahmed
The 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
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Jabed Ahmed
Mrs 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
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Jabed Ahmed
How police caught the defendants
15:42
A 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:
Motive still not clear, concludes the judge
15:36
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Alex Ross
Mrs 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
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Alex Ross
The 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
15:24
Just 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
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Alex Ross
Daniel 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
15:16
The 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
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Alex Ross
Despite 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
15:11
Daniel 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
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Alex Ross
Justice 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
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Alex Ross
Justice 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
14:58
Justice 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
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Alex Ross
Justice 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
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Alex Ross
Justice 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
14:53
Justice 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
14:51
Justice 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
14:33
Daniel 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
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Alex Ross
Just hearing that sentencing has been put back to 2.30pm
Sentencing to begin shortly
14:22
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Alex Ross
Following 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
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Alex Ross
Richard 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
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Alex Ross
Referring 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
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Alex Ross
The 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
13:19
Andrew 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
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Alex Ross
After 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.”
What have the defendants now said on their role in chopping down the tree?
12:52
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Alex Ross
We’ve just heard from Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, who says both men have admitted their part in the tree coming down.
We expect to hear more in the submissions from the defendants’ legal representatives shortly.
Offence required 'significant planning', prosecution saying
12:50
In presenting the case for sentencing, Richard Wright KC says the act took ‘significant planning’.
He said: “This was an expedition that required significant planning in terms of taking a vehicle, driving for 40 minutes to a car park, taking with them the appropriate specialist equipment, walking and carrying that equipment to the tree, and the felling was carried out in a deliberate and professional way."
Defendants admit going 'on a mission', prosecution say
12:43
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Alex Ross
We’re just hearing from Richard Wright KC, prosecution, who has said he understands both Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers have admitted their part in the tree coming down.
He said both admit they went ‘on a mission’, but “both deny they knew they did it”.
“One was so drunk he didn’t realise he did it,” he adds.
Mr Wright says that Graham only realised “it was serious” when the blade touched the tree.
Judge urged to 'impose a just sentence'
12:26
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Alex Ross
The defendants both face a maximum of 10 years in prison for the conviction of criminal damage to the tree, and Hadrian’s Wall.
Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, says the court must by law impose a just sentence for offences.
'Pure vandalism' - public left messages after tree was felled
12:24
We’re now being talked through notes left by the public with the National Trust following the felling of the tree.
One says: “So sad my late husband and I walked the [Hadrian’s] wall and stood under tree years ago. such an iconic landmark to many!! Pure vandalism!!
Impact on National Trust has been 'intense'
12:19
In the victim impact statement, Andrew Pond, from the National Trust, said “it had been heartbreaking to see the destruction of a much-loved site”.
Thousands of messages and support came in, he said.
The impact on the body has been “intense”, he said, and it is impossible to work out the exact cost and time spent on reacting to the incident.
He said around £30,000 had been spent on removing the tree and putting it under care.
Public were 'really shocked and horrified' by loss of tree
12:14
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Alex Ross
A victim impact statement is now being read out by Rebecca Brown, of the Crown Prosecution Service.
It is from the National Trust.
It covers the immediate discovery of the loss of the tree and the outpouring of grief from the public.
It includes public comments to a consultation held by the body.
“Really shocked and horrified by what’s happened,” said one person.
“My heart actually hurts, I send you my sympathies,” said one person from Australia.
“I think we all feel very saddened by this reckless act of destruction,” said another.
Daniel Graham was previously given caution for theft of 'large quantity of logs'
12:10
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Alex Ross
Richard Wright KC, from the Crown Prosecution Service, is now running through Graham’s previous convictions.
He was convicted of violence and battery in 2007 and 2016.. He was also convicted of public order offences in 2021 and 2022.
All were related to relationship difficulties, Justice Lambert notes.
Graham was also given a caution of theft after gathering a ‘large quantity of logs’, said Mr Wright.
Adam Carruthers has no previous convictions or cautions.
The sentencing hearing begins
12:04
We start by hearing from Richard Wright KC, from the Crown Prosecution Service
Defendants arrive in the dock
12:02
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Alex Ross
Daniel Graham is the first to arrive in the dock. He is sat is dressed in a white shirt and is given a glass of water as he sits down.
Adam Carruthers, wearing a green shirt, arrives next and immediately sits down at the other end of the dock.
Both appear to ignore each other.
Application turned down for defendants to appear in handcuffs
11:59
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Alex Ross
We’ve just been hearing an application by security staff at the court for both defendants to be in handcuffs while inside the dock today.
Justice Lambert said the application was based on the “concern of trouble between them”.
The pair’s friendship had fallen apart during the trial as Daniel Graham accused Adam Carruthers of chopping down the tree.
Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, told the court it must consider the risk of disorder and violence.
Chris Knox, representing Graham, and Andrew Gurney, representing Carruthers, both opposed the application.
Mr Gurney said he believed it was down to an issue of “limited resources” for the security contractor today.
Both said their clients had reassured them they will behave in court.
Justice Lambert rejected the application.
Where the defendants claimed they were on the night of tree felling
11:41
Despite mounting evidence, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers denied any involvement in chopping down of the Sycamore Gap tree
On the night of the tree being damaged, Carruthers said he was staying at home in his caravan with his partner and their newborn baby.
Graham said he was at his home that night and while he accepted that his Range Rover was driven to the car park nearest to Sycamore Gap and his phone was used to film the tree being felled, he said his co-accused took both.
Felling of Sycamore Gap tree had 'far-reaching emotional impact' across UK
11:32
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Alex Ross
As we wait for the sentencing hearing to begin, a reminder of the impact of the damage to the Sycamore Gap tree.
It was in September 2023 when the tree was chopped down, but for many, it’s still upsetting today.
Dr Carl Hodgetts, from the department of psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London, said: “The felling of the Sycamore Gap Tree had far-reaching emotional impact across the country and world, but particularly in the North-East where it holds deep local significance.
“One of the reasons for this may be because the tree stood for more than 350 years, and likely featured in the spatial and visual models of more than ten generations, thus becoming part of a shared, local cultural memory.
“In this sense, its removal affects not just present-day spatial understanding, but also a collective historical relationship with the landscape.”
Who is representing who
11:21
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Alex Ross
This morning, we’re going to hear from the Crown Prosecution Service to begin with. Richard Wright KC will outline the case again to court.
We’re then likely to hear from Daniel Graham’s legal representative Chris Knox and Adam Carruthers’ representative Andrew Gurney.
We expect the pair to be sentenced by Justice Lambert this afternoon.
Delay to the start of the hearing
11:17
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Alex Ross
The court case has been delayed slightly by a legal application now being discussed by the Crown Prosecution Service and defendants’ legal representatives.
We expect Justice Lambert to return to the court very shortly, and the case to begin.
Inside the courtroom, barristers, their legal associates and police officers take up the three rows in the centre.
At the back of the court is the dock, separated by large glass panels from the rest of the room.
Public gallery and press benches are full inside court
11:08
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Alex Ross
The hearing has not yet started, and we await the arrival of Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers.
Inside the court room at Newcastle Crown Court, almost every seat is taken, such is the interest in this high-profile case.
Around 18 journalists are also inside the room, and the public gallery is full.
Detectives faced daunting task but mobile phone evidence proved damning
10:58
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Alex Ross
Northumbria Police have always been reluctant to explain how they came to identify the two, apart from saying it followed “intelligence-led policing”.
Number plate recognition cameras had identified that Daniel Graham’s Range Rover had been driven to a nearby car park at the relevant time.
The movement of Graham’s phone was tracked using network masts and indicated that it had travelled east from the Carlisle area, before being switched off.
And when police recovered his mobile from his jacket pocket, they found a video of the tree being felled on a pitch black night.
That video was enhanced by a digital specialist to make the picture clearer and it proved to be a piece of telling evidence.
Sycamore Gap tree trunk installation is now on display
10:44
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Alex Ross
A large piece of the Sycamore Gap tree which was felled by Graham and Carruthers is now on public display.
A 6ft section of the trunk was preserved and almost two years later it has been made into a striking installation.
It is on display just two miles from where it once stood, at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre.
Friendship of defendants fell apart dramatically
10:30
Adam Carruthers and Daniel Graham both said they had a very close friendship at the time of the Sycamore Gap felling.
But over the following months, as the police net closed in, cracks started to emerge and by the time the case got to trial, their bond was in tatters.
Both denied responsibility for felling the tree. Graham even accused his friend in a 101 call made to police before the trial.
Summing up the case, prosecutor Richard Wright KC said the odd couple were “in it together from first to last”, and neither was big enough to own up for fear they would be made public enemy number one.
Sentencing of defendants 'a significant moment' in protection of trees
10:15
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Alex Ross
Both Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers face a maximum of 10 years in prison after being found guilty of criminal damage.
The tree was valued at £622,191 by the prosecution in the charge sheets put before the trial.
Tree lawyer Sarah Dodd says the outcome will set a precedent and have an impact on tree law in the UK.
She said: “The sentencing of Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers will be a significant moment, not just for those directly involved, but for everyone who cares about protecting our natural environment.
We have rarely seen prosecutions like this, and the length of sentencing being considered is a clear reflection of the seriousness with which the court views this crime.
It shows that tree protection laws carry real weight, and that damaging our natural heritage is not something that will be tolerated lightly.
Whatever the outcome on the 15th, I hope it sends a powerful message about the need to respect and uphold the legal frameworks in place to safeguard our environment.”
What to expect today
09:59
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Alex Ross
The sentencing hearing will be at Newcastle Crown Court, with both defendants Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers expected in the dock.
At 11am, we expect to hear the prosecution representatives remind judge Mrs Justice Lambert of the evidence.
We’ll then hear from the legal representatives of both Graham and Carruthers.
Then the judge will read out their sentence for the pair.
Both were found guilty of two counts of criminal damage – one to the much-photographed tree and and one to Hadrian’s Wall, which was damaged when the sycamore fell on it.
The 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.
The video of the Sycamore Gap being chopped down
09:55
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Alex Ross
As many people following the trial will remember, a key point was the presentation of a video by the prosecution of a video discovered in Daniel Graham’s mobile phone.
When enhanced, the prosecution, suggested it showed the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree.
Here’s our coverage from the unveiling of the video at the time:
What were Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers found guilty of
09:36
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Alex Ross
Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were each found guilty of two counts of criminal damage – one to the much-photographed tree and and one to Hadrian’s Wall, which was damaged when the sycamore fell on it.
Because the tree is still alive, they could not be charged with destruction.
There was no visible reaction from either in the dock as the jury returned after just over five hours to convict them.
Motive behind the pair's mission still not known
09:31
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Alex Ross
During the trial at Newcastle Crown Court, both men denied any involvement in the chopping down of the Sycamore Gap Tree.
It means the public still don’t know why they did it.
Graham accused Carruthers of taking his car and phone t
