One of the most famous trees in Great Britain, Sycamore Gap, was destroyed by two local residents. The court found them guilty of intentional damage to property. They are currently in custody, and on July 15, they will receive a final decision on punishment. They face a long prison sentence. This is reported by UNN with reference to TheGuardian.
Details
According to the publication, the trial of 39-year-old Daniel Grem and 32-year-old Adam Carruthers lasted 8 days in a row in the Newcastle Crown Court. Finally, they were found guilty of "intentional damage to the property of the historic Hadrian's Wall and one of the most famous trees in Great Britain - Sycamore Gap." Their act was described as "mindless" and "idiotic."
These two, according to TheGuardian, went on a night "mission" with a chainsaw, during Storm Agnes, early in the morning of September 28, 2023, and cut down the famous tree that grew near Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland.
Later, they exchanged messages about being the subject of global discussion and even enjoyed it.
Both men denied guilt
They claimed to be at home in Cumbria at the time of the incident. However, evidence was presented to the court, including the use of Grem's phone and car on the night of the crime, as well as videos of the felling on the defendants' mobile devices.
Prosecutor Richard Wright K.S. stated that the crime was an "idiotic mission" and that the two men showed an "elementary lack of decency and courage to admit what they had done."
Throughout the country and around the world, all reasonable people react to the senseless felling of the Sycamore Gap tree with sadness and anger. Who would do that? Why would someone do that? Take something beautiful and destroy it for no good reason
What punishment will the perpetrators receive
The jurors reached a unanimous decision in five hours. Judge Lambert informed that the final decision on the punishment will be made on July 15, after the preparation of pre-trial reports. Until then, both were left in custody, noting that they face a long prison term, the publication states.
After the verdict, the Woodland Trust charity called on the government to introduce new legislation that would protect valuable trees similar to historical monuments.
Let us remind
In Britain, unknown persons cut down one of the most famous trees in the country — Sycamore Gap. It grew in a small gorge between two hills near Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland. This tree was shown in the 1991 film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." And in 2016, the tree even received the award "Tree of the Year" in Britain. The police have launched an investigation to find the perpetrators.