The tree at Sycamore Gap took well over a century to grow and just minutes to cut down. It was globally renowned, standing as it did at the edge of the Roman frontier in northern England, and had been depicted countless times in photographs, paintings and films. Overnight on 27 September 2023, under the cover of darkness, someone chopped it down, sparking international outrage and condemnation. Over the last week, Newcastle Crown Court has been hearing the trial of the two men who deny felling the tree. Here's some of what jurors have been told so far. Prosecutors allege Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32,carried out the "moronic mission". The prosecution say that while one felled the tree with a chainsaw, the other filmed it on Mr Graham's phone - something they both deny. Police discovered a two minute and 41 second-long video a month later when they arrested Mr Graham and seized his phone. The original video is dark, just the sounds of a chainsaw followed by the crashing fall of a tree and then silence, broken only by the wind blowing at the remote spot. An enhanced version was shown to jurors, with the video's metadata showing it was filmed at about 00:30 BST at the exact coordinates of the much-loved tree. When quizzed by police about how the video got on his phone, Mr Graham repeatedly answered "no comment". The tree was felled using a "hinge-and-wedge" technique, the court heard. A forestry expert said it would have been "unequivocally obvious" it would topple northwards, with the bottom of its severed trunk falling on the Roman wall and causing £1,144 worth of damage. To facilitate the fall, a large wedge had to be cut out of the trunk, which prosecutors say the defendants took away with them as a "trophy". A picture was taken a couple of hours later on Mr Graham's phone, showing a large chunk of wood and chainsaw in the back of his Range Rover. A forensic botanist said there was "very strong evidence" the wedge had come from the Sycamore Gap tree. Neither the wedge nor the chainsaw have been found by police. Cell site analysis, which tracks the movements of a mobile phone, and automatic number plate recognition cameras, which follow the progress of a car, have been repeatedly referred to. In short, Mr Graham's phone and car were both monitored travelling towards Sycamore Gap from his home in Carlisle before the felling, then returning westward afterwards, the court heard. A pair of headlights were also captured on CCTV from the nearby Twice Brewed Inn heading towards Steel Rigg, the closest public car park to the tree, just before midnight, returning about an hour later. Prosecutors say Mr Graham and his good friend Mr Carruthers, from Wigton in Cumbria, had been in regular phone contact during the day but that stopped at 22:23, strongly suggesting they were together from then on. Messages exchanged between Mr Carruthers and his partner also showed he was not at home that night, the court heard. On 28 September 2023, the world awoke to find the tree had been felled. Initial speculation was that it had come down in Storm Agnes, which had blown through that night, but it quickly became apparent the tree had been deliberately and illegally felled, jurors heard. The two defendants rapidly began swapping screenshots of social media posts and press reports on their phones, the court heard. "Here we go," Mr Graham wrote to his co-accused. One person had commented on Facebook that there were "some weak people that walk this earth, disgusting behaviour". Mr Graham sent a voice note to Mr Carruthers saying: "Weak? Does he realise how heavy [stuff] is?" Mr Carruthers replied: "I'd like to see [the man] launch an operation like we did last night, I don't think he's got the minerals." He said it was being reported on multiple news channels, adding: "It's going to go wild." Mr Graham replied: "It's gone viral, it is worldwide." Prosecutors said the men were "revelling in" the outrage, but their close friendship would unravel as the "public revulsion became clear to them". So far, the jury has only heard from Daniel Graham. He spent more than three hours in the witness box, during whichhe said his once "best pal" Carruthers had felled the tree. Mr Graham claimed he had been asleep in his caravan the whole night while Mr Carruthers and an associate took his Range Rover, which also contained his phone, over to Sycamore Gap and back, without his knowledge. He said Mr Carruthers was fascinated with the tree and had previously mentioned felling it, with Mr Graham claiming he had in fact never heard of the world famous tree until his co-accused told him about it. In the aftermath, he claimed his friend asked him to "take the blame" as police would be more lenient on him because of his "mental health issue", a claim which was labelled "not true" by Mr Carruthers' barrister. Mr Graham alsoadmitted making an anonymous call to policeto point the finger at Mr Carruthers, claiming he had to as detectives had not listened to him before. Jurors have also heard the two men's police interviews. In his, Mr Graham saidhe was the victim of a smear campaign on Facebook, the accusations being the latest exchange in a feud with others in which he and Mr Carruthers were embroiled. Mr Carruthers said he had used chainsaws but never been trained, adding they were "nasty things" and he could not recall ever felling a tree. Both men deny causing criminal damage to the tree and Roman wall. The trial continues. Follow BBC North East onX,Facebook,NextdoorandInstagram. Send your story ideashere.
Five things you may have missed in Sycamore Gap trial
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Trial Underway for Men Accused of Felling Iconic Sycamore Gap Tree"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
The Sycamore Gap tree, a centuries-old icon located at the Roman frontier in northern England, was felled on September 27, 2023, sparking widespread outrage. In the ongoing trial at Newcastle Crown Court, two men, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, face allegations of deliberately cutting down the tree, with prosecutors alleging that Graham used a chainsaw while Carruthers filmed the act. A crucial piece of evidence presented was a video lasting two minutes and 41 seconds, discovered on Graham's phone, which captured the sound of the chainsaw and the crashing of the tree. The prosecution contends that the manner in which the tree was cut down involved a specific technique that would have made it clear which direction the tree would fall, ultimately causing damage to the nearby Roman wall valued at over £1,000. Furthermore, forensic analysis indicated strong evidence linking a piece of wood found in Graham's vehicle to the felled tree, although neither the chainsaw nor the piece of wood has yet been located by the police.
The prosecution further detailed the timeline leading up to the incident, noting that both men had been in contact throughout the day before the tree was cut down. Surveillance footage captured their movements near the site shortly before and after the tree was felled, with cell site analysis tracking Graham's phone and car in the vicinity of Sycamore Gap. Following the tree's felling, the defendants reportedly engaged in a conversation over social media, expressing amusement at the public outrage and the widespread media coverage of the event. During his testimony, Graham claimed that Carruthers was solely responsible for the act and that he had been unaware of the plan. He also alleged that Carruthers had suggested he take the blame due to his mental health issues, a claim that was contested by Carruthers' defense. Both men have denied the charges of criminal damage, and the trial is set to continue as jurors evaluate the evidence presented against them.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article sheds light on the trial of two men accused of unlawfully cutting down the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, which has garnered significant public interest and international outrage. This case not only highlights the legal proceedings surrounding the incident but also taps into deeper societal sentiments regarding environmental preservation and cultural heritage.
Public Sentiment and Community Response
The trial has evoked strong emotions from the community and beyond, emphasizing the cultural and historical significance of the Sycamore Gap tree. The article aims to strengthen the narrative of collective outrage and the need for accountability in acts that threaten such cherished symbols. This sentiment is crucial in fostering community solidarity and reinforcing the value placed on nature and heritage.
Potential Hidden Agendas
While the article focuses on the trial, it could also serve to distract from other pressing societal issues or legal matters. By placing attention on a high-profile case, there may be an intention to divert public discourse away from potentially controversial topics in politics or the economy. This raises the question of whether the media's portrayal of the incident aims to shape public attention and opinion.
Manipulative Elements
The use of charged language—terms like "moronic mission" and "cherished symbols"—can evoke an emotional response and may skew perception of the defendants. This framing could suggest a bias in how the story is presented, potentially influencing public opinion against the accused without a complete exploration of their side. This suggests a level of manipulation, as it guides readers toward a specific emotional reaction.
Trustworthiness of the Report
The article presents factual information regarding the trial and the events surrounding the tree's destruction. However, the emotional framing and selective emphasis on certain details may impact its overall reliability. While the core facts seem sound, the context in which they are presented can lead to a skewed interpretation.
Implications for Society and Economy
The trial could have broader implications, particularly regarding environmental law and conservation efforts. A strong verdict might inspire stricter regulations on the protection of natural landmarks, potentially influencing public policy. The case may also stimulate discussions around the value of cultural heritage and its protection, which can resonate in various sectors, including tourism and local economies.
Target Audience
This news piece likely appeals to environmental activists, local residents, and those interested in cultural preservation. By focusing on a topic that resonates with these groups, the article seeks to engage a community that is passionate about protecting their heritage and natural landscapes.
Market Impact
In terms of market implications, the story may not directly influence stock prices or global markets. However, if it leads to increased awareness and subsequent legislation around environmental protection, companies involved in conservation or eco-tourism could see a positive effect.
Relation to Global Context
While the case is localized, it reflects broader issues of environmental degradation and cultural heritage preservation, which are globally relevant. The story aligns with contemporary discussions about climate change, sustainability, and the protection of natural landmarks, making it pertinent to current global dialogues.
Use of AI in Writing
There is a possibility that AI tools were used in the composition of this article, particularly in structuring the narrative and presenting data. AI language models could have suggested phrasing or helped organize the information for clarity. However, the emotional tone and specific legal framing suggest a human touch in the writing style, indicating a blend of AI assistance and editorial oversight.
In summary, while the article provides a factual account of the trial, its emotional framing and selective emphasis indicate potential manipulation of public sentiment. The reliability of the report is mixed, with a focus on evoking outrage rather than delivering an unbiased narrative. Ultimately, the piece serves to highlight the importance of environmental and cultural preservation while also raising questions about the motivations behind its publication.