What started as a stormy night drive ended in a devastating act of destruction that sparked national outrage.
Two former friends are now facing potentially long prison sentences for chopping down one of Britain’s most iconic trees — the Sycamore Gap tree — a beloved natural landmark nestled beside Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland.
From Friends to Felons
Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, once close pals from Cumbria, drove for nearly an hour through harsh weather in September 2023 to carry out the senseless felling.
One of them wielded a chainsaw, the other filmed the crime — but exactly who did what still hasn’t been proven.
What is clear, though, is that they worked together, bringing the equipment and encouraging each other throughout.
Now convicted of criminal damage, they’ve returned to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing.
The charges include damaging not only the 150-year-old tree but also a section of Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was struck as the tree collapsed.
Cold Shoulders in Court
In court, the former friends sat silently, separated by a security officer, barely acknowledging each other.
Graham wore a crisp white shirt, while Carruthers opted for a grey T-shirt — but their quiet tension spoke volumes.
Their once-tight friendship has since crumbled, especially after the fallout from the crime and its impact on their personal lives.
No Motive, No Explanation
To this day, neither man has given a clear reason for their actions.
During the trial, prosecutors described the crime as “mindless thuggery,” while the police dubbed it “vandalism of the worst kind.”
Messages and voice notes found on Graham’s phone revealed that the duo exchanged gleeful texts the next day, joking about their actions going “viral.”
The Evidence That Sealed Their Fate
It wasn’t easy for the police to track down the culprits.
The incident happened in the dead of night with no eyewitnesses.
But thanks to a mix of phone tracking, surveillance footage, and a damning video of the actual chainsawing found on Graham’s phone, the pair were caught.
The video, captured at around 12:30 AM, showed the unmistakable sounds of a chainsaw slicing through the dark — the final moments of the famous tree.
Public Fury and Cultural Loss
The destruction of the Sycamore Gap tree struck a deep chord with people across the UK.
The tree wasn’t just a natural feature — it had appeared in films like Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, inspired proposals, family memories, and even served as the resting place for some people’s ashes.
Experts estimated the damage to the tree alone at over £620,000, and the wall damage added more than £1,000.
But many would argue the emotional and cultural loss can’t be measured.
False Accusations and Internet Trolls
Before the real culprits were found, another man — former lumberjack Walter Renwick — was wrongly accused online.
Trolls went after him so viciously that he ended up wearing a Rod Stewart wig in public just to avoid abuse.
Police searched his home and seized a chainsaw, but he was eventually cleared of all suspicion.
The Men Behind the Chainsaw
Graham ran a groundwork company and had experience with chainsaws.
He struggled with mental health issues and had suffered personal loss, including the death of his father.
Carruthers was a mechanic with no criminal record, who had just become a father again days before the tree was felled.
Their friendship, once solid and business-oriented, has since fallen apart.
During the trial, Graham blamed Carruthers for ruining his reputation and business.
A Sentence With Weight
The judge, Mrs Justice Lambert, is now preparing to deliver a sentence.
The maximum penalty for their crime? Up to 10 years behind bars.
Aggravating factors include the heritage value of the tree and the widespread impact on the community.
In her previous comments, the judge made it clear that the pair were likely looking at a “lengthy period in custody.”
Why Did They Do It?
That question still hangs in the air. With no motive offered and no explanation from the men, the mystery around why they targeted such a beloved symbol only deepens the public’s frustration.
Superintendent Kevin Waring summed it up best: “There never could be a justifiable reason.”