Leader hopes sentence will fit 'revolting' crime

THE leader of Northumberland County Council has branded the felling of Sycamore Gap a “revolting” crime after two men were found guilty of cutting down the iconic tree.

- JAMES ROBINSON Local democracy reporter [e-mail]

Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers had denied two charges of criminal damage relating to the incident in September 2023.

However, following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court Graham, 39, of Milbeck Stables, Carlisle and Carruthers, 33, of Church Street, Wigton, have now been found guilty of criminal damage to the tree and 1,900-year-old Hadrian's Wall.

Coun Glen Sanderson, who leads the Conservative group on Northumberland County Council, was pleased justice had been done.

Coun Sanderson, who previously chaired Northumberland National Park, hoped that the two men would receive a suitable punishment.