GAP YEARS!

Two men who went on a ‘moronic mission' to cut down the Sycamore Gap tree in a 'deliberate, professional way' get their comeuppance by being handed prison sentences of four years and three months

- By Paul Jeeves Crime Editor

TWO vandals who cut down the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in a “moronic mission” have both been jailed for four years and three months.

Adam Carruthers and Daniel Graham had claimed their felling of the world-famous Northumberland landmark was “drunken stupidity”.

But judge Mrs Justice Lambert said yesterday that their wanton vandalism had been carefully planned.

Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, had earlier told Newcastle Crown Court “the felling was carried out in a deliberate, professional way” using specialist equipment after a moorland trek. The men had been convicted of causing criminal damage to the 150-year-old sycamore.

The court heard the felling near Bardon Mill took “just two or three minutes”, with Carruthers wielding the chainsaw and Graham assisting by “driving, encouraging and not least filming” the destruction.

But the judge ruled both were “equally culpable” of damaging the sycamore and adjoining Hadrian’s Wall in September 2023.

Mrs Justice Lambert said their reason for razing the 50ft icon was unclear but added: “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.

“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.

“Whether that was the sole explanation for what you did, I do not know, however I know you are both equally culpable.”