Night of mindless damage that stunned the nation

What began as an ordinary September evening turned into a moment of national disbelief.

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The heartbreaking overnight felling of the Sycamore Gap tree - a living monument nestled beside Hadrian's Wall - sparked a police investigation, waves of grief, and months of courtroom drama.

Here is how the felling of the iconic tree near Crag Lough in Northumberland unfolded.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 27 2023

10.02am Graham sends message to Carruthers saying: “Big storm tonight we might get onto storm damage get saws warmed up”

5.20pm Walker takes a picture of the Sycamore Gap tree, still standing

10.23pm Carruthers’ phone rings Graham's phone for one minute and 18 seconds. Prosecutors say this is the last contact between them because after this they were travelling together to Sycamore Gap

11.35-11.38pm Graham's phone picked up at cell sites on the A689 between Carlisle and Brampton.

11.37pm Graham’s Range Rover captured by an ANPR camera at Brampton

11.41pm Graham’s phone ‘detaches’ from the network. Prosecutors say it was deliberately disconnected