Two men are charged over the destruction of the historic Sycamore Gap tree after the famous wood – featured in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves – was cut down overnight in September attack

Two men were charged this afternoon in connection with the destruction of the historic Sycamore Gap tree.

Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were today charged with criminal damage after felling the iconic tree in September last year.

They have also been charged with causing criminal damage to Hadrian’s Wall, which is immediately next to the tree, and will appear at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court on May 15.

Located in Northumberland, the Sycamore Gap tree is one of Britain’s most photographed trees and featured in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman.

It was found demolished on September 28, with the top section over the historic Roman barrier, after being the target of a ‘malicious act of vandalism’ overnight.

SGary Fothergill, Specialist Prosecutor from CPS North East’s Complex Casework Unit, announced: ‘The Crown Prosecution Service has authorized Northumbria Police to charge Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers with causing criminal damage after the Sycamore Gap boom ended. September was cut down.

‘They have also been charged with causing criminal damage to Hadrian’s Wall and will appear at the South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court on May 15, 2024.

“We remind all involved that criminal proceedings against the defendants are active and that they are entitled to a fair trial.

‘It is extremely important that there is no online reporting, commenting or sharing of information that could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’

Last September, hikers first noticed how part of the iconic tree appeared to be marked with white paint, suggesting someone may have felled it with a chainsaw.

Alison Hawkins, who lives in Liverpool, was one of the first people on the scene to post a photo on Facebook with the caption: ‘A terrible moment for everyone walking Hadrian’s Wall. The Sycamore Gap tree is gone! Not the storm, but an absolute ******* took it down!!’

Ms Hawkins, who walked Hadrian’s Wall on her fourth day, said she was ‘teary-eyed’ when she discovered the tree had been cut down.

She said: ‘At first we thought it was the storm, but then we saw a park ranger.

“He said it had been cut down and there was paint around the cut part, so he was a professional who knew where he was going to cut.

‘It was quite a shock. It’s basically the iconic image that everyone wants to see. You can forgive nature for doing this, but you cannot forgive that.”

Following this evil act, a spokesperson for the Northumberland National Park Authority said: ‘Northumberland National Park Authority can confirm that the famous tree at Sycamore Gap unfortunately fell last night. We have reason to believe it was cut down on purpose.

“We are working with the relevant agencies and partners interested in this iconic landmark in the North East and will release more details as they become available.”

They added: ‘It is not currently clear whether the tree is a victim of Storm Agnes or whether it is a deliberate act – although photographs indicate a clean and straight cut.’

Matt Brown, 37, of nearby Twice Brewed Brew Company, was one of the first on the scene.

Mr Brown said: ‘I was brewing when I heard a rumor that the tree at Sycamore Gap had been cut down and ran over to see what had happened.

‘It was quite a shock to see it there, that tree is a real icon and for those of us born in this area it really means something.

‘It was definitely cut down with a chainsaw – a big one at that. It appears as if it was cut in one stroke, which means the blade must have been about two meters long.

“It happened overnight and it appears to be a thoughtful and planned act. But why anyone would do such a thing is beyond me.

‘There can’t be anyone who has such a problem with that particular tree that he has to walk a mile at night to cut it down. It is an act of malice, but it can only be done out of malice.

‘The tree can be seen from the old military road that runs alongside it, but to get to it you have to climb over barbed wire and walk a mile through swampy ground.

‘I also noticed that the trunk was marked where the cut would be made.

‘This is someone who knows how to fell trees and make sure they fall in the right direction, but it’s hard to understand why anyone would do this.

“Just yesterday I was talking to a Canadian lady who came here specifically to see the Sycamore Gap tree. It is an icon and something special for the brewery.

“Our signature beer is called Sycamore Gap and the tree is our logo. It’s really hard to believe this happened.

The Sycamore Gap was named England’s Tree of the Year by the Woodland Trust in 2016 and is much loved by people all over the world.

North Tyne and Metro Mayor Jamie Driscoll visited the devastation and said: “This tree is iconic. You can see love stones on the floor where people have proposed to their partners in the past.

‘Other people have had their ashes scattered here. This is part of our culture. I have family in North America and if they see us, we take them here.

“This is not a cut down tree. This is an insult to the people of Northumberland. When you look at the damage you realize it was someone with a 28-inch chainsaw who knew what he was doing.

‘I’ve had a lot of messages from people who are angry about it. Normally I am a measured man, but I am very angry about this.

‘I’ve heard people are in tears. It really is a special place for the people in the area.’

Driscoll now hopes that the perpetrator will turn himself in to the police.

“It’s a very healthy tree and someone knows who did this,” he added. ‘If they have any decency, they should contact the police.

“Hadrian’s Wall has been here for over 2,000 years, so we will work with the authorities to come up with something appropriate.”