Trial Delayed for Men Charged with Cutting Down Iconic Sycamore Gap Tree Due to Defendant's Illness

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The trial of the two men charged with cutting down Britain's scenic Sycamore Gap tree has been delayed due to one of the defendants falling ill. The trial, which was scheduled to begin on December 9, 2024, at Newcastle Crown Court, has been postponed until further notice. This delay affects the proceedings as the court awaits the defendant's recovery before resuming the trial.

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Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, have pleaded not guilty to two counts each of criminal damage. The prosecution alleges that the tree was deliberately felled on September 28, 2023, and its fall caused damage to Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The value of the tree is estimated to exceed £620,000 ($790,000), with an additional £1,100 ($1,400) in damages to the wall.

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The Sycamore Gap tree, famously featured in Kevin Costner’s 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” was a significant tourist attraction in Northumberland. Its removal has had a profound impact on the local community and tourism. Efforts are being made to preserve the tree's legacy, including displaying a section of the trunk at the park visitor center and planting saplings grown from its seeds around the UK.