Sycamore Gap accused said he was 'raging' at being framed

TWO MEN TOLD POLICE THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FELLING BELOVED TREE

- By ROB KENNEDY

TWO men told police they were not responsible for illegally felling the Sycamore Gap tree with one of them saying he was “raging” at being falsely accused by someone “stirring the pot.

Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers are standing trial at Newcastle Crown Court charged with causing criminal damage to the world-famous Northumberland tree and Hadrian’s Wall, onto which it fell after someone took a chainsaw to it while someone else filmed the “moronic” act in September 2023.

Jurors have now heard accounts from the two accused men for the first time after transcripts of their police interviews were read to them.

In his first interview on October 31 2023, Graham denied responsibility for the felling and said the only knowledge he had of it was what he had seen online and on the news.

Asked about his movements on the September 27 and 28, 2023, Graham said: he didn’t know as it was a month earlier but added: “I think if I cut that tree down I would be able to turn round and say where I was that day. I didn’t cut that tree down so I couldn't tell you what I did.”

With reference to being blamed for the felling, Graham said: “I know who done it and I’m going to get my own back. It’s nowt to do with me and I don’t know who done it but I know who's put my name forward to say I’ve done it.”

Graham was asked about how he would fell trees as part of his groundworks business and gave a description. He said he had “never done a large fell, I've not been trained for that”.

He added: “I would not have a big enough saw for that.

Graham said “whoever needs it” was allowed to use his vehicles. He said he would often leave the keys in the vehicles.

Asked if there was anything on his phone to link him to the offence, he said: “No. F*** all Have a look at it.”

Graham went on to say he believed he was being stitched up, adding “a pi*** down the road is what it boiled down to”.