Sentencing of Sycamore Gap Vandals at Newcastle Crown Court
July 15, 2025 – Daniel Graham (39) and Adam Carruthers (32) faced sentencing today at Newcastle Crown Court after their May convictions for criminally damaging the iconic Sycamore Gap tree and damaging a section of Hadrian’s Wall
The Crime: A “Moronic Mission”
On 28 September 2023, amid high winds from Storm Agnes, the pair traveled from Cumbria—driving approximately 40 minutes to the famous gap between two hills—armed with a chainsaw and deliberately felled the 150‑year‑old sycamore in under three minutes. They recorded the act on video, celebrating the sensational outcome and bragging about “going viral” the next day
Described by prosecutors as a “moronic mission,” the vandalism resulted in criminal damage estimated at £622,191 for the tree and £1,144 for Hadrian’s Wall . Despite pleas of not guilty, compelling evidence—ANPR data, phone metadata, and video—secured their convictions on two counts of criminal damage
Public and Emotional Impact
The tree was more than just a natural landmark; a beloved symbol of Northumberland, voted “Tree of the Year” in 2016, and famously appeared in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Thousands had shared stories of visiting the spot—its loss sparked nationwide mourning and outrage
During sentencing submissions, National Trust’s Andrew Poad described it as “a totemic symbol” and emphasized the public’s grief:
“It belonged to the people… a calming, reflective space that people came to year after year,” he testified .
A deeply personal site of memories—where families proposed, celebrated, and reflected—the tree’s undue destruction left many feeling emotionally bereft.
Defendant Profiles
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Daniel Graham, with prior convictions including battery, theft, and public order offences, has been in custody since remanded in December 2024 Adam Carruthers, a mechanic with no prior record, was remanded in custody after their May conviction
At trial, both pleaded not guilty, later admitting they were on a “mission” but denying full awareness. Graham claimed he realized the gravity only when striking the tree; Carruthers admitted to filming and receiving celebratory video messages afterward
Legal Parameters & Possible Sentences
The maximum penalty for each criminal damage count is 10 years, and sentencing must reflect the significant harm to a heritage asset. Mrs Justice Lambert has been warned of the potential for a “lengthy period in custody” Aggravating factors include the tree’s cultural value, the damage to a UNESCO-listed monument, public outrage, and evidence of premeditation
Aftermath: Regrowth & Remembrance
Despite the vandalism, hope persists: seedlings have sprouted from the stump, and efforts are underway to cultivate saplings, honoring the tree’s living legacy.
Bottom Line
This sentencing marks a crucial moment in British cultural justice. The court’s decision will balance the severity of a deliberate, premeditated act against the defendants’ profiles. More than numerical penalties, this case underscores how physical damage to treasured landscapes resonates deeply within national identity.
Today’s hearing delved into planning, emotional fallout, and public value, before opening the floor to Defence submissions scheduled next. The final sentence, likely to span several years, will reflect the combined weight of cultural significance and calculated vandalism.