Major Sycamore Gap update as pair of suspects face 10-day trial over £600k damage
The two men have denied that they felled the world-famous tree and now face a lengthy trial at Newcastle Crown Court.
Two men who have denied that they felled the UK’s most famous tree now face a 10-day trial.
Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, made their first appearance this morning at Newcastle Crown Court, accused of criminal damage to the world-famous tree in Northumberland and to Hadrian's Wall.
The Sycamore Gap tree, which became a national icon, belonged to the National Trust and has been valued at £622,191. It was felled overnight on September 28 last year.
Carruthers, of Church Street, Wigton, has pleaded not guilty to damaging the tree and Hadrian’s Wall and Graham, of Milbeck Stables, Carlisle, also contests both charges says his barrister and is expected to appear in court later.
Judge Paul Sloan KC says the trial is expected to last around 10 days and will take place from December 3.
The tree famously featured in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and there was a national outcry in September when the 300-year-old Northumberland tree, which stood in a dramatic dip on Hadrian’s Wall, was cut down.
Both the tree and the wall were said to belong to the National Trust. The pair have both been on unconditional bail since the hearing on May 15.
Specialists have since been desperately searching for a way to give the much-photographed landmark a new breath of life.
Staff quickly collected material from the remains of the tree and in the months since, experts have used a range of techniques to cultivate the rescued material.
Seeds and buds rescued from the Sycamore Gap are “springing into life” at a specialist conservation centre, giving hope the famous tree will live on.
Staff at the National Trust’s Plant Conservation Centre have been carefully looking after the recovered seeds and twigs.
Andrew Jasper, director of gardens and parklands at the National Trust, said: “These techniques, delivered with a remarkable degree of care and precision by our conservationists, are providing a legacy for this much-loved tree.
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“And while there’s a way to go before we have true saplings, we’ll be keeping everything crossed that these plants continue to grow stronger and can be planted out and enjoyed by many in the future.”
Tony Gates, chief executive officer of the Northumberland National Park Authority said: “I was at Sycamore Gap in the immediate hours following the felling of the tree, managing the unfolding story as it happened and responding to the media.
“Whilst all of that was taking place, a team from the National Trust arrived to collect seed and other material from the tree. The seed did not appear to be mature enough and the chances of success appeared slim, but the idea of a direct link from the tree, at the time of it being felled, was a powerful one.
“How great it is that experts have been able to bring us this direct connection and refreshed hope. I look forward to working with the National Trust as we see how these beacons can send hope far beyond Northumberland. I would like to thank the team who have made this happen.”
