Latest news with #NorthumbriaPolice
The Province
16 hours ago
- The Province
Vandals who cut down Sycamore Gap tree sentenced in England to more than 4 years in prison
Published Jul 15, 2025 • 4 minute read This combination created in Londonon May 9, 2025 of undated handout pictures released by Britain's Northumbria Police taken in Newcastle, shows Daniel Graham (L) and Adam Carruthers, the two men convicted over felling of the tree at Sycamore Gap. Photo by - / Northumbria Police/AFP via Getty LONDON (AP) — Two men who cut down England's beloved Sycamore Gap tree were sentenced Tuesday to more than four years in prison. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The tree stood for nearly 150 years before Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers carried out what a prosecutor called a 'moronic mission' and cut it down in the middle of the night, toppling it onto Hadrian's Wall. Graham, 39, and Carruthers, 32, were each convicted of two counts of criminal damage — one for destroying the tree, the other for damaging the ancient wall. Justice Christina Lambert sentenced the pair each to four years and three months in prison during the hearing in Newcastle Crown Court. The tree, perched in a saddle between two hills, had been known to locals for its scenic setting but became famous after a cameo in Kevin Costner's 1991 film 'Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.' It drew tourists, lovers, landscape photographers and even those who spread the ashes of loved ones. It was voted English 'Tree of the Year' in 2016. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP's earlier story follows below. LONDON (AP) — The two men who long denied cutting down England's beloved Sycamore Gap tree changed their tune Tuesday as they faced several years in prison for the crime. Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers previously testified at trial that they had nothing to do with the vandalism, but a prosecutor said that the two convicts now blame booze for the act as they admitted before sentencing that they had been on what he termed a 'moronic mission' to topple the tree. Prosecutor Richard Wright said that it was a 'fanciful proposition' that they didn't intend to cut down the tree along Hadrian's Wall or realize what they were doing until it was too late. 'The court can be sure they were sober, prepared and planned to do what they did,' Wright said. He said the pair should serve prison sentences between 18 months and 4 years. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Justice Christina Lambert was due to sentence the pair later in the afternoon at Newcastle Crown Court. Graham, 39, and Carruthers, 32, were each convicted in May of two counts of criminal damage — one for killing the tree, and the other for damaging the ancient wall. The illegal felling in Northumberland National Park on Sept. 28, 2023, caused instant outrage and news quickly spread beyond the ancient wall built by Emperor Hadrian in A.D. 122 to protect the northwest frontier of the Roman Empire. It wasn't Britain's biggest or oldest tree, but the sycamore was prized for its picturesque setting, symmetrically planted between two hills along the wall that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tree had long been known to locals but became famous after a cameo in Kevin Costner's 1991 film 'Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.' It drew tourists, lovers, landscape photographers and even those who spread the ashes of loved ones. It was voted English 'Tree of the Year' in 2016. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'This iconic tree can never be replaced,' Andrew Poad, general manager of the heritage and nature conservation charity National Trust, said in a statement read in court by a prosecutor. 'It belonged to the people. It was a totemic symbol for many; a destination to visit whilst walking Hadrian's Wall, a place to make memories, take photos in all seasons; but it was also a place of sanctuary.' One man wielded a chainsaw while the other captured the felling on grainy video on a cellphone. Prosecutors couldn't say who cut down the tree and who memorialized the senseless act, but both were equally culpable. In less than three minutes, the tree that had stood nearly 150 years crashed to the ground. Police officers look at the tree at Sycamore Gap, next to Hadrian's Wall, in Northumberland, England, Thursday Sept. 28, 2023 which has come down overnight. Photo by Owen Humphreys / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Carruthers will have to carry the burden for his actions like a 'form of personal penance,' attorney Andrew Gurney said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It was no more than drunken stupidity,' Gurney said, 'and something he would regret for the rest of his life.' At trial, the two men — once the best of friends who have fallen out since their arrests — testified they were at their respective homes on the night of the crime and downplayed their skills working with chainsaws. But evidence shown to the jury implicated both men. Graham's Range Rover was near the tree around the time it fell. Video of the felling was found on his phone — with metadata showing that it was shot at the location of the tree. As digital data showed Graham's vehicle on its way back to where the two lived about 40 minutes away, Carruthers got a text from his girlfriend with footage of their 12-day-old son. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I've got a better video than that,' Carruthers replied. The jury didn't hear evidence of a motive for the crime, but Wright suggested in his closing argument that the two had been on a 'moronic mission' and cut down the tree as a joke. 'They woke up the morning after and … it must have dawned on them that they couldn't see anyone else smiling,' Wright said. Read More Crime Vancouver Canucks Local News News Sports Betting
Toronto Sun
19 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Vandals who cut down Sycamore Gap tree sentenced in England to more than 4 years in prison
Published Jul 15, 2025 • 4 minute read This combination created in Londonon May 9, 2025 of undated handout pictures released by Britain's Northumbria Police taken in Newcastle, shows Daniel Graham (L) and Adam Carruthers, the two men convicted over felling of the tree at Sycamore Gap. Photo by - / Northumbria Police/AFP via Getty LONDON (AP) — Two men who cut down England's beloved Sycamore Gap tree were sentenced Tuesday to more than four years in prison. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The tree stood for nearly 150 years before Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers carried out what a prosecutor called a 'moronic mission' and cut it down in the middle of the night, toppling it onto Hadrian's Wall. Graham, 39, and Carruthers, 32, were each convicted of two counts of criminal damage — one for destroying the tree, the other for damaging the ancient wall. Justice Christina Lambert sentenced the pair each to four years and three months in prison during the hearing in Newcastle Crown Court. The tree, perched in a saddle between two hills, had been known to locals for its scenic setting but became famous after a cameo in Kevin Costner's 1991 film 'Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.' It drew tourists, lovers, landscape photographers and even those who spread the ashes of loved ones. It was voted English 'Tree of the Year' in 2016. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP's earlier story follows below. LONDON (AP) — The two men who long denied cutting down England's beloved Sycamore Gap tree changed their tune Tuesday as they faced several years in prison for the crime. Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers previously testified at trial that they had nothing to do with the vandalism, but a prosecutor said that the two convicts now blame booze for the act as they admitted before sentencing that they had been on what he termed a 'moronic mission' to topple the tree. Prosecutor Richard Wright said that it was a 'fanciful proposition' that they didn't intend to cut down the tree along Hadrian's Wall or realize what they were doing until it was too late. 'The court can be sure they were sober, prepared and planned to do what they did,' Wright said. He said the pair should serve prison sentences between 18 months and 4 years. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Justice Christina Lambert was due to sentence the pair later in the afternoon at Newcastle Crown Court. Graham, 39, and Carruthers, 32, were each convicted in May of two counts of criminal damage — one for killing the tree, and the other for damaging the ancient wall. The illegal felling in Northumberland National Park on Sept. 28, 2023, caused instant outrage and news quickly spread beyond the ancient wall built by Emperor Hadrian in A.D. 122 to protect the northwest frontier of the Roman Empire. It wasn't Britain's biggest or oldest tree, but the sycamore was prized for its picturesque setting, symmetrically planted between two hills along the wall that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tree had long been known to locals but became famous after a cameo in Kevin Costner's 1991 film 'Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.' It drew tourists, lovers, landscape photographers and even those who spread the ashes of loved ones. It was voted English 'Tree of the Year' in 2016. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'This iconic tree can never be replaced,' Andrew Poad, general manager of the heritage and nature conservation charity National Trust, said in a statement read in court by a prosecutor. 'It belonged to the people. It was a totemic symbol for many; a destination to visit whilst walking Hadrian's Wall, a place to make memories, take photos in all seasons; but it was also a place of sanctuary.' One man wielded a chainsaw while the other captured the felling on grainy video on a cellphone. Prosecutors couldn't say who cut down the tree and who memorialized the senseless act, but both were equally culpable. In less than three minutes, the tree that had stood nearly 150 years crashed to the ground. Police officers look at the tree at Sycamore Gap, next to Hadrian's Wall, in Northumberland, England, Thursday Sept. 28, 2023 which has come down overnight. Photo by Owen Humphreys / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Carruthers will have to carry the burden for his actions like a 'form of personal penance,' attorney Andrew Gurney said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It was no more than drunken stupidity,' Gurney said, 'and something he would regret for the rest of his life.' At trial, the two men — once the best of friends who have fallen out since their arrests — testified they were at their respective homes on the night of the crime and downplayed their skills working with chainsaws. But evidence shown to the jury implicated both men. Graham's Range Rover was near the tree around the time it fell. Video of the felling was found on his phone — with metadata showing that it was shot at the location of the tree. As digital data showed Graham's vehicle on its way back to where the two lived about 40 minutes away, Carruthers got a text from his girlfriend with footage of their 12-day-old son. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I've got a better video than that,' Carruthers replied. The jury didn't hear evidence of a motive for the crime, but Wright suggested in his closing argument that the two had been on a 'moronic mission' and cut down the tree as a joke. 'They woke up the morning after and … it must have dawned on them that they couldn't see anyone else smiling,' Wright said. Read More Toronto & GTA Columnists Editorial Cartoons NFL NHL
Extra.ie
19 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Two men who cut down Sycamore Gap tree jailed for 'moronic mission'
Two men have been jailed for felling the famous Sycamore Gap tree in what has been described a 'moronic mission.' 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 landscape, and were both jailed for four months and three months. They were also convicted of criminal damage to Hadrian's Wall, caused when the sycamore fell on the ancient monument. Two men have been jailed for felling the famous Sycamore Gap tree in what has been described a 'moronic mission.' Pic: Jeff) Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, told jurors the pair had 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 back in September 2023. 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. The tree is one of the most famous in England, and was used as a backdrop in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Pic: joe'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.' The pair 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. The tree was a symbol of Northumberland, was the site of countless family visits and featured in the Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman film, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Adam Carruthers. Pic: Northumbria Police Its destruction, filmed on a mobile phone, took less than three minutes. The defendants were once close, working and socialising together, but have fallen out since their arrests and each has come to blame the other. 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. Messages and voice notes between Graham and Carruthers the next day showed them talking about the story going 'wild' and 'viral.' At trial, Graham claimed 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 its circumference. Daniel Graham. Both men were sentenced to four years and three months. Pic: Northumbria Police 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.'
Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Man in his 60s collapses and dies near felled Sycamore Gap beauty spot
A man got into difficulties on Saturday afternoon on a path close to the Steel Rigg in Northumberland National Park, where the Sycamore Gap tree was destroyed last year A walker died after collapsing in the sweltering heat on the path where the Sycamore Gap tree once stood. The man in his 60s, who has not yet been named, needed urgent medical help at Steel Rigg near Hadrian's Wall on Saturday as temperatures hit 30c. But he couldn't be revived, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team were called to the incident and said in a statement: "Our thoughts and condolences go to the walker's friends and family." 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." Today, two former workmates are both facing up to 10 years behind bars today after they were found guilty of felling the Sycamore Gap tree. Friends Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, had denied criminal damage to the tree, which was around 150 years old, and Hadrian's Wall, despite overwhelming evidence against them. The news that shocked the nation left people in disgust over the act and the pair have been convicted of two counts of criminal damage. The famous tree had been growing in a dip on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland for more than 100 years before it was savagely cut down by the pair. A jury at Newcastle Crown Court heard that they had filmed themselves on their 'moronic mission' before boasting about it in text messages. Carruthers was said to have been motivated by a desire to get a trophy from the tree as a 'souvenir' for his daughter, who had been born just 12 days before the tree was felled on September 28, 2023. There has been an application for Graham and Carruthers to appear in handcuffs in the dock. It is a security measure put in place on occasions to prevent defendants attacking each other before sentence is passed. The application is from the firm responsible for dock security; it has to be agreed by the Judge Mrs Justice Lambert. Graham had a grudge against authorities who rejected his bid to live near Hadrian's Wall. He had made an application for a 'Lawful Development Certificate' in 2022. Residents and planning officials from Beaumont Parish Council, a remote Cumbrian rural community, told how they felt threatened by Graham's 'dominant and oppressive behaviour'. When he was charged with felling the tree, a neighbour told of his dislike of the authorities. "When he was refused permission to live there, many people thought he said 'right, I will show them'," said one woman, who declined to be named. "They thought that could have motivated him to do it. His site grew and grew, there were big lorries going back and forth all the time. "He built a mound to hide what was going on there. When we saw all the police vehicles there, after the tree was felled, we initially thought it was to do with the hunt for a missing person. Later, it became apparent that he had been questioned over the tree." She added: "His behaviour did not change once he was arrested. He still had people going back and forth at all hours of the day and night."
Scottish Sun
a day 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".
