Latest news with #JusticeLambert
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Two men who cut down Sycamore Gap tree in act of ‘sheer bravado' jailed
Two former friends who cut down the Sycamore Gap tree out of 'sheer bravado' have each been jailed for four years and three months. Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers may have hoped for a softer sentence after finally admitting their roles in chopping down the much-loved tree, which had stood for more than 100 years. Carruthers, a 32-year-old mechanic, confessed to cutting down the tree in an act of 'drunken stupidity', but claimed he could not remember committing the offence after drinking a bottle of whisky. His one-time best pal Daniel Graham, 39, took a vantage point to film the vandalism on his mobile phone, saying he 'just went along with it'. Their explanations, however, were dismissed as not 'wholly honest' by Mrs Justice Lambert, who told them their mission was planned and 'gave you some sort of thrill'. At Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday, the pair, who sat several metres apart in the dock, showed no reaction as they were handed their prison sentence in a courtroom packed with journalists and members of the public. Both men had already been convicted of criminal damage to the tree and Hadrian's Wall, which it fell on, in May. Sentencing the defendants, Mrs Justice Lambert told them their motivation was still not clear, but a large factor seemed to be 'sheer bravado'. She said: '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.' Summing up what happened from the pair's admissions in their pre-sentence reports, she added: 'Adam Carruthers, your account that you had so much to drink that you had no memory of what happened is not plausible. 'The tree felling demonstrated skill and required deliberate and coordinated actions by you… it was not the work of someone whose actions were significantly impaired through drink. 'Nor, Daniel Graham, do I accept you just went along with your co-defendant. You filmed the whole event, you took photos of the chainsaw and wedge of trunk in the boot of your Range Rover. The next day, you appeared to revel in coverage of your actions in the media.' Despite the difference in roles, and Graham's claim he was being led by Carruthers' 'dream', Mrs Justice Lambert said both defendants were equally culpable. At their trial the jurors, who took just five hours to reach their verdicts, heard how the pair had travelled for more than 40 minutes from their homes in Cumbria to the landmark tree, before 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. Andrew Gurney, speaking on behalf of Carruthers, told the court his client had chopped down the tree in an act that was 'no more than drunken stupidity'. 'He felled that tree and it is something he will regret for the rest of his life. There's no better explanation than that,' he added. Chris Knox, representing Graham, said the groundworker was a 'troubled man who has had very real difficulties in his life'. He said his client had also received hate mail, although this mitigation was discounted by Mrs Justice Lambert during sentencing. Andrew Poad, a National Trust manager, gave a victim impact statement which was read in court: '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.' The tree, initially valued at £622,191, was a symbol of Northumberland, a site of countless family visits and featured in the Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves. Its destruction took less than three minutes. Two weeks after the damage, Northumbria Police received 'a single strand of intelligence' that named Carruthers and Graham, before detectives linked Graham's Range Rover with the area close to Sycamore Gap using ANPR on the night of 27 September 2023. When police arrested the duo and searched Graham's phone, they found the two-minute and 41-second video, which showed the tree being cut down at 12.30am. Messages and voice notes between Graham and Carruthers the next day showed them talking about the story going 'wild' and 'viral'. Mrs Justice Lambert said their offence had 'an extraordinary social impact' and that it had caused 'widespread distress'.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Man in his 60s dies on path at popular beauty spot near to where axed Sycamore Gap tree stood
Cops confirmed the man's next of kin have been informed PARK TRAGEDY Man in his 60s dies on path at popular beauty spot near to where axed Sycamore Gap tree stood Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAN in his 60s has died after suffering a medical episode at a popular beauty spot near where the Sycamore Gap tree once stood. The man got into difficulties on a path close to the Steel Rigg car park in Northumberland National Park on Saturday July 5. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Emergency services scrambled to the area but despite the best efforts of paramedics, the man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "At 1pm on Saturday, July 5, we received a report via the ambulance service that a person was suffering a medical episode while on a path close to Steel Rigg car park in Northumberland. "Emergency services attended but the person – a man in his 60s – was sadly pronounced dead a short time later. "The man's next of kin have been informed. "A report into the man's death has been prepared for the coroner." Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team were one of the emergency services called to the incident. They added: "Our thoughts and condolences go to the walker's friends and family." The man suffered the medical episode near the same beauty spot where the iconic Sycamore Gap tree stood before it was axed. The pair of thugs who chopped down the natural landmark are being sentenced today. He and Adam Carruthers, 32, face years in jail at Newcastle crown court after being convicted of causing over £600,000 damage to the tree and Hadrian's Wall. Trial judge Mrs Justice Lambert warned them after the verdict in May that they face "a lengthy period in custody".
The Independent
25-06-2025
- The Independent
Andrew Tate's High Court trial over rape and sexual violence claims by four women brought forward
Andrew Tate will face a civil trial at the High Court next summer over claims of rape and sexual violence brought by four women. A judge ruled the trial, which had originally been expected to take place in February 2027, should be brought forward. Four women are suing the former professional kickboxer over allegations of sexual violence, including that he grabbed one by the throat on several occasions in 2015, assaulted her with a belt and pointed a gun at her face. Mr Tate denies any wrongdoing. At a hearing on Wednesday, Mrs Justice Lambert said that she was 'very keen to get on' with the case and that it should be listed sooner, fixing the trial to start on 22 June 2026. It could last up to five weeks, with a further preliminary hearing expected to take place at a later date. She said: 'We just need to make this happen, really. It is not in anyone's interests that this case goes into the long grass of 2027.' Following the short hearing, the four claimants said: 'We welcome the judge's decision to bring our case forward. 'We've already spent years waiting for justice, and so it's of some comfort to hear that Andrew Tate will face these allegations in a court earlier than the original plan of 2027.' A previous hearing in April was told that the case is believed to be a legal first as it will consider whether allegations of coercive control, in a civil context, could amount to intentional infliction of harm. Judge Richard Armstrong said that the claimants were 'seeking damages likely to reach six figures'. The women are bringing a civil case after the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute. Three of the British accusers were the subject of an investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary, which was closed in 2019. In court documents, one of the women claimed the high-profile influencer 'would strangle her or grab her by her throat if she spoke back to him or said anything that he did not like… until she told him that she loved him or apologised for whatever he demanded at the time'. She alleged Mr Tate put her in a headlock or whipped her with a belt if she did not get out of bed and do work for his webcam business. The documents also claim Mr Tate, 38, 'had weapons, including firearms, which were often pointed at her' and that he had 'indicated to her that he would like to kill someone if he could'. Mr Tate maintains that her account is 'fabrication' and a 'pack of lies', and has previously described the allegations as 'unproven and untested'. In a statement, a spokesperson for Mr Tate previously said: 'He denies ever threatening anyone with a firearm, engaging in non-consensual acts or subjecting any individual to physical or psychological harm. 'These are civil claims, brought years after the alleged events and following a CPS decision not to pursue criminal charges. 'It is deeply troubling that such graphic and one-sided accounts are being publicised before any judicial assessment has taken place.' The statement added: 'Mr Tate will defend himself vigorously and remains confident the truth will prevail.' Mr Tate and his brother Tristan are also facing prosecution in Romania over allegations of trafficking minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering.
Western Telegraph
25-06-2025
- Western Telegraph
Trial of High Court claims against Andrew Tate brought forward to next summer
Four women are suing the former professional kickboxer over allegations of sexual violence, including that he grabbed one by the throat on several occasions in 2015, assaulted her with a belt and pointed a gun at her face. Tate's barristers told an earlier court hearing that there was 'total denial of wrongdoing'. It is not in anyone's interests that this case goes into the long grass of 2027 Mrs Justice Lambert In written submissions for a hearing on Wednesday, barristers for the women said that following a preliminary hearing in April this year, a 16-day trial had been listed to start on February 22 2027. But Mrs Justice Lambert told the court in London that she was 'very keen to get on' with the case and that it should be listed sooner, fixing the trial to start on June 22 2026. The trial could last up to five weeks, with a further preliminary hearing expected to take place at a later date. She said: 'We just need to make this happen, really. 'It is not in anyone's interests that this case goes into the long grass of 2027.' Following the short hearing, the four claimants said: 'We welcome the judge's decision to bring our case forward. 'We've already spent years waiting for justice, and so it's of some comfort to hear that Andrew Tate will face these allegations in a court earlier than the original plan of 2027.' The hearing in April was told that the case is believed to be a legal first as it will consider whether allegations of coercive control, in a civil context, could amount to intentional infliction of harm. Judge Richard Armstrong said that the claimants were 'seeking damages likely to reach six figures'. The women are bringing a civil case against Tate at the High Court after the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute in 2019. Three of the British accusers were the subject of an investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary, which was closed in 2019. In court documents, one woman suing Tate claimed he 'would strangle her or grab her by her throat if she spoke back to him or said anything that he did not like… until she told him that she loved him or apologised for whatever he demanded at the time'. She said he, and his brother Tristan Tate, 'played good cop and bad cop to manipulate her', and that Tate allegedly put her in a headlock or whipped her with a belt if she did not get out of bed and do work for his webcam business. The documents also allege Tate 'had weapons, including firearms, which were often pointed at her' and that he had 'indicated to her that he would like to kill someone if he could'. Tate said that her account was 'fabrication' and a 'pack of lies', and has previously described the allegations as 'unproven and untested'. In a statement, a spokesperson for Tate previously said: 'He denies ever threatening anyone with a firearm, engaging in non-consensual acts or subjecting any individual to physical or psychological harm. 'These are civil claims, brought years after the alleged events and following a CPS decision not to pursue criminal charges. 'It is deeply troubling that such graphic and one-sided accounts are being publicised before any judicial assessment has taken place.' The statement added: 'Mr Tate will defend himself vigorously and remains confident the truth will prevail.'
The Independent
09-05-2025
- The Independent
Ex-friends who chopped down Sycamore Gap tree face lengthy jail terms
Two former friends are facing lengthy jail sentences after they were convicted of cutting down the beloved Sycamore Gap tree in an act of 'mindless thuggery'. Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers drove through a storm for 40 minutes in the middle of the night from their homes in Cumbria to the Northumberland landmark, where one of them cut down the sycamore and the other filmed it. Precisely who used the chainsaw and who videoed the shocking crime has never been proven, but prosecutors at Newcastle Crown Court stressed the two men were in it together, carrying the equipment to the scene and one encouraging and assisting the other. 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. Mrs Justice Lambert remanded both defendants until they are sentenced on July 15, and said they could face 'a lengthy period in custody'. The former friends have fallen out since they were arrested and there were angry exchanges between Graham and a supporter of Carruthers in the public gallery when the men were led away. During the nine day trial, Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, told jurors that Graham and Carruthers took away a wedge from the tree as a trophy and spent the next day revelling in media reports as news of their 'moronic mission' went viral. The 'odd couple', who did everything together, had thought it would be 'a bit of a laugh', Mr Wright said, but realised they 'weren't the big men they thought they were' when they saw the public outrage they had caused by committing 'the arboreal equivalent of mindless thuggery'. On Friday, groundworker Graham, 39, and mechanic 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. There was no visible reaction from either in the dock as the jury returned after just over five hours to convict them. The trial heard the 'totemic' sycamore had stood for more than 100 years in a dramatic dip in Hadrian's Wall, becoming a popular spot for everything from picnics to proposals – and achieving worldwide fame when it was featured in the 1991 Kevin Costner film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves. The specimen that had taken over a century to grow was destroyed in less than three minutes. Jurors heard Graham and Carruthers were 'best of pals' at the time and regularly worked together felling trees. Graham's Range Rover was picked up on automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras between Carlisle and Sycamore Gap at night on September 27 2023, and returning early the next morning. His mobile was traced to phone masts making the same journey. When police arrested the pair and searched Graham's phone, they found a two minute and 41 second video which showed the sycamore being cut down at 12.30am on September 28, and had been sent to Carruthers. They also found photos and videos of a wedge of tree trunk and a chainsaw in the boot of Graham's Range Rover, although these have never been found. Messages and voice notes between Graham and Carruthers the next day showed them talking about the story going 'wild' and 'viral', referring to 'an operation like we did last night' and joking that damage looked like it had been done by a professional. But, Mr Wright said, by the time their trial started 18 months later, the pair had 'lost their courage' and their once close friendship had collapsed, with each apparently blaming the other. Graham accused Carruthers of taking his car and phone to Sycamore Gap that night without his knowledge, saying he had now turned on his former friend because his business was being affected by Carruthers' actions. Graham claimed during his evidence that Carruthers had a fascination with the sycamore, saying he had described it as 'the most famous tree in the world' and spoken of wanting to cut it down, even keeping a piece of string in his workshop that he had used to measure the circumference. Carruthers denied this and told the court he could not understand the outcry over the story, saying it was 'just a tree'. The tree and wall were owned by the National Trust and a spokesperson said: 'The needless felling of the Sycamore Gap tree shocked people around the country and overseas, demonstrating the powerful connection between people and our natural heritage. 'It was felt particularly deeply here in the north east of England where the tree was an emblem of the region and the backdrop to many personal memories.'
