What's happened
Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers appeared in Newcastle Magistrates' Court today, charged with criminal damage for allegedly cutting down the Sycamore Gap tree and damaging Hadrian's Wall. Graham pleaded not guilty, while Carruthers entered no plea. The case, deemed too serious for the magistrates' court, will proceed to Newcastle Crown Court on June 12. The damage to the tree and wall is valued at over £620,000. Both men were granted unconditional bail.
What's behind the headline?
What the papers say
According to Sky News, District Judge Zoe Passfield stated, 'This case is too serious to be heard in the magistrates' court,' emphasizing the gravity of the charges. The Guardian's Daniel Lavelle noted the tree's significance, mentioning it was named England's tree of the year in 2016 and featured in the film 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.' BBC News highlighted the international outpouring of shock and dismay following the tree's felling, with Northumberland National Park receiving 2,000 messages of sadness and offers of help.
How we got here
The Sycamore Gap tree, a 300-year-old sycamore located next to Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, was cut down overnight on September 28, 2023. The tree, a beloved landmark and popular tourist spot, had been a part of the landscape since the late 1800s. Its felling caused significant damage to Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were arrested in October 2023 and charged with criminal damage. The case has drawn widespread attention due to the tree's cultural and historical significance.
Go deeper
- What is the significance of the Sycamore Gap tree?
- How did the public react to the felling of the tree?
- What are the potential legal consequences for the accused?
Common question
More on these topics
-
Northumberland is a unitary authority and historic county in North East England, the northernmost county of England. The unitary authority borders Cumbria to the west, County Durham and Tyne and Wear to the south and the Scottish Borders to the north.
-
The Sycamore Gap Tree or Robin Hood Tree is a sycamore tree standing next to Hadrian's Wall near Crag Lough in Northumberland, England.
-
Hadrian's Wall, also known as the Roman Wall, Picts' Wall, or Vallum Hadriani in Latin, is a former defensive fortification of the Roman province of Britannia, begun in AD 122 in the reign of the emperor Hadrian.