Two men charged after famous Sycamore Gap tree was chopped down
Two men have been charged over the felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree.
The tree, in a gap in Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland, was chopped down last September.
Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, have both now been charged with damaging both the tree and Hadrian’s Wall itself.
There was a national outcry when the much-loved, 200-year-old tree was found to have been cut down.
Gary Fothergill from the CPS said: ‘The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Northumbria Police to charge Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers with causing criminal damage after the Sycamore Gap tree was cut down last September.
‘They have also been charged with causing criminal damage to Hadrian’s Wall and will appear at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court on May 15, 2024.’
The iconic tree was subject of dozens of paintings, photographs, and other artworks depicting the historic Hadrian’s Wall.
It even featured in a scene of Kevin Costner’s 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
But it was chopped down without warning on September 28 of last year.
Several people had been arrested in relation to the felling, with a 16-year-old boy and a 69-year-old man both since released. They will both face no further action.
Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Fenney said: ‘There has been an ongoing investigation since the Sycamore Gap tree was cut down.
‘As a result of those enquiries, two men have now been charged.
‘We recognise the strength of feeling in the local community and further afield the felling has caused, however we would remind people to avoid speculation, including online, which could impact the ongoing case.’
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