Pictured: Two men accused of felling the Sycamore Gap tree - as trial for criminal damage to ancient landmark begins today

Daily Mail​

29-04-2025

These are the two men accused of felling the Sycamore Gap tree - set to stand trial on charges of criminal damage.
Daniel Graham, 39, of Milbeck Stables, Carlisle, and Adam Carruthers, 32, of Church Street, Wigton, Cumbria, are on trial at Newcastle Crown Court charged with two counts each of criminal damage.
Both men have tried to hide behind hoods and balaclavas as they arrived for previous court hearings - but have now been pictured for the first time.
They are jointly charged with causing criminal damage worth £622,191 to the much-photographed Northumberland tree - known across the world from its appearance in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
They are also charged with causing £1,144 of damage to Hadrian's Wall, a Unesco World Heritage Site, which was hit by the tree when it was felled overnight on September 28 2023.
The wall and the tree belong to the National Trust. Graham and Carruthers deny all the charges against them.
Jurors in the trial of two men accused of felling the landmark tree at Sycamore Gap were selected from a pool of 25 after being asked if they had any emotional connection to the much-loved landmark.
The trial is now expected to last 10 days. Yesterday, Mrs Justice Lambert outlined the case to a panel of 25 potential jurors.
In front of a packed public gallery and a full press bench, she told them: 'It concerns allegations of criminal damage, namely the felling by a chain saw of a sycamore tree situated at Hadrian's Wall that is commonly known as Sycamore Gap.
'The tree was felled and damage was caused to the Roman wall in the course of it.
'I am sure each and every one of you have heard about the case given the level of media interest which it has engaged.'
She told the panel that if they were sworn in, they would make a solemn oath to try the case on the evidence presented within the four walls of the court.
Jurors were to exclude themselves if they knew trial witnesses, and Rebecca Brown, junior counsel for the prosecution, read out a list of people expected to give evidence, which included at least 10 people working for Northumbria Police.
Carruthers (left) is continuing to cover his face as he arrives at court; Graham (right) showed his face as he appeared late last year and this week
Ms Brown also asked if the jury panel had any link to the National Trust or Historic England, not including being a member.
She added: 'Other than general knowledge and you visiting, do you have any particular link, emotional or otherwise, to Sycamore Gap or Hadrian's Wall?'
A jury of 12 was then chosen ahead of the trial starting today.
The court was previously told the tree had been scientifically assigned a value of £622,191 using the Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees system.
The two men attended a previous court hearing with their faces covered.
On that occasion, in May last year, Graham wore a black balaclava, with large aviator sunglasses covering his eyes, while Carruthers sported a black hood that covered his entire face.
Carruthers has continued to hide his face, while Graham has since walked into court with his face on show, dressed in a dark three-piece suit.
The Sycamore Gap tree was one of the world's most photographed, and is thought to be at least 150 years old.