Two men accused of chopping down the famous Sycamore Gap tree kept a wedge as a trophy in a felling that prosecutors described as a "moronic mission". The tree had stood for more than 100 years in a dip on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland before it was felled overnight on 27 September, 2023, Newcastle Crown Court heard. Daniel Michael Graham, 39, from Carlisle and Adam Carruthers, 32, from Wigton in Cumbria, each deny two counts of criminal damage relating to the tree and the Roman wall. Opening the case to jurors, prosecutor Richard Wright KC said the tree which was held in "high affection" by many was chopped down in just minutes and the accused "loved" the outrage caused. The tree, which was planted in the late 1800s, had become "famous" and been photographed and depicted in films and art works "countless times", Mr Wright said. On the night of 27 September, Mr Carruthers and Mr Graham made a 40-minute drive in the latter's Range Rover from Cumbria to chop down the tree, the prosecutor said. As one cut it down using a technique known as hinge and wedge, the other filmed the act of "deliberate mindless criminal damage" on Mr Graham's mobile phone, the court heard. In the two minute and 41 second-long grainy video shown to jurors, a silhouetted figure can be seen appearing to cut at the base of a large tree which then falls over with big crash. Mr Wright said the person filming the "criminal" act was just as responsible as the person "wielding the chainsaw". "Though the tree had grown for over a hundred years, the act of irreparably damaging it was the work of a matter of minutes," Mr Wright said. It was a "moronic mission" that the pair appeared to be "revelling in", the prosecutor said. Mobile phone data and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras showed them travelling towards and away from the remote site, with a wedge of wood believed to have been cut out of the tree photographed by the pair in the boot of Mr Graham's car, the court heard. The following morning, when news of the "senseless" attack broke sparking international outrage, the two accused shared multiple news and social media posts between themselves. In one message Mr Graham said "here we go", the court heard. In a comment on Facebook, a man wrote: "Some weak people that walk this earth, disgusting behaviour." Two minutes later Mr Graham sent his co-accused a voice note saying: "Weak? Does he realise how heavy [stuff] is?" Mr Carruthers responded saying he would like to see the commenter "launch an operation like we did last night", adding: "I don't think he's got the minerals." Mr Wright said that message was the "clearest confirmation in their own voices" the two men were responsible for felling the tree. The prosecutor said messages the men exchanged in the aftermath showed they were "loving" and "revelling in" the public's response He said: "This is excitement at the fact it's gone worldwide it's gone viral, it's being talked about all over the world. "There is no sadness here or remorse." The court heard the men had proven expertise to fell a large tree with a video of them doing so filmed just weeks before. Both also had chainsaws at their homes but it was not believed they were the tools used to fell the Sycamore Gap tree. Mr Wright said neither that chainsaw or the wedge of wood taken from the tree as a "trophy" had been found and had probably been "hidden away". Mr Wright said both men denied their involvement to police and would seek to blame each other, their once close friendship appearing to have unravelled "perhaps as the public revulsion at their behaviour became clear to them". Jurors had previouslybeen warned to try the case purely on the evidenceheard in court and set all emotion aside. The trial continues. Follow BBC North East onX,Facebook,NextdoorandInstagram. Send your story ideashere.
Sycamore Gap tree wedge kept as trophy, court hears
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Trial Begins for Men Accused of Felling Iconic Sycamore Gap Tree"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
In a shocking case that has captured public attention, two men, Daniel Michael Graham and Adam Carruthers, are facing charges in Newcastle Crown Court for allegedly chopping down the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, a natural landmark that had stood for over 100 years along Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland. Prosecutors have described their actions as a 'moronic mission,' highlighting the deliberate nature of their crime. On the night of September 27, 2023, the duo traveled from Cumbria to the site, where they filmed the felling of the tree, which had been a cherished symbol for many and featured in numerous photographs, films, and artworks. The prosecution presented evidence, including a grainy video showing one man cutting the tree while the other recorded the act on a mobile phone, emphasizing that both individuals share equal responsibility for this act of vandalism. The tree, which took over a century to grow, was destroyed in mere minutes, demonstrating the stark contrast between the time it took to create the natural landmark and the time taken to destroy it.
The court proceedings revealed that the men appeared to revel in the outrage their actions caused, exchanging messages and social media posts that indicated they were excited about the international attention their crime received. Evidence presented by prosecutor Richard Wright KC included mobile phone data and photographs of a wedge taken from the tree, which the men allegedly kept as a trophy. The prosecution argued that their communications post-felling showed a lack of remorse or sadness about their actions, with one message from Graham expressing excitement over the viral nature of the incident. As the trial continues, jurors have been instructed to focus solely on the evidence presented in court, setting aside any emotional response to the crime. The case has sparked widespread condemnation from the public, with many expressing disgust over the destruction of a beloved natural landmark. The trial will determine the extent of their culpability as both men have denied the charges and are reportedly attempting to shift blame onto each other.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The incident involving the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree has garnered significant media attention, and the court proceedings reveal deeper societal implications. This event touches on themes of environmental destruction, community values, and the consequences of reckless behavior.
Public Sentiment and Perception
The prosecution's language, labeling the act as a "moronic mission," aims to evoke outrage from the public. By emphasizing the tree's historical significance and the emotional attachment of the community, the prosecution attempts to frame the defendants' actions as not only illegal but also morally reprehensible. This framing is likely designed to stir public sentiment against the accused, fostering a collective indignation that reinforces environmental stewardship.
Potential Underlying Agendas
There may be an underlying agenda to raise awareness about environmental issues and the protection of natural landmarks. The case serves as a reminder of the fragility of nature and the importance of conservation efforts. By highlighting the deliberate nature of the act and the recorded evidence, the prosecution seeks to deter similar future actions, promoting a culture of respect for the environment.
Manipulation and Bias
The language used in the article, particularly terms like "deliberate mindless criminal damage," suggests a strong bias against the defendants. This could be interpreted as an attempt to manipulate public perception by portraying the accused as not just criminals but as individuals who take pleasure in their actions. This framing could distract from broader issues related to environmental protection and societal values.
Comparative Analysis with Other News
When compared to other environmental stories, this case stands out due to its focus on a single act of vandalism rather than systemic issues like climate change or habitat destruction. However, it aligns with a trend in media to highlight individual actions that have significant environmental impacts, thereby personalizing the broader conversation about conservation.
Impact on Society and Economy
While the immediate impact on society revolves around public outrage, the long-term effects could involve increased calls for stricter penalties for environmental crimes. Economically, this incident might encourage local governments to invest more in conservation and protection of natural sites, potentially influencing tourism and local businesses that thrive on the preservation of natural beauty.
Community Support and Reactions
The case is likely to resonate more with communities invested in environmental protection and the preservation of cultural landmarks. It appeals to those who view nature as a shared heritage, fostering a sense of collective responsibility towards environmental conservation.
Market and Economic Implications
This news story may not directly influence stock markets but could affect companies involved in conservation, tourism, or even environmental advocacy. Increased public awareness and activism could lead to a rise in support for businesses that prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Global Relevance
The incident reflects a growing global consciousness around environmental issues. While it is a localized event, the themes resonate globally, especially in the context of ongoing discussions about climate change and environmental justice.
The language and framing of the article suggest a deliberate effort to manipulate public opinion against the defendants while simultaneously raising awareness about the importance of protecting natural landmarks. This manipulation is evident in the emotional appeal and the emphasis on community values surrounding the tree.
The reliability of this news can be assessed as moderately high, given the legal context and the presentation of evidence. However, the language used and the focus on emotional responses may skew the reader's perception. The aim of this article appears to be to galvanize public sentiment against the accused while promoting the importance of environmental preservation.