Mobile phone footage which prosecutors claim shows the moment the "iconic" Sycamore Gap tree was felled has been shown to jurors. The tree had stood for more than 100 years in a dip on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland before it wasfelled in a "moronic mission"in the early hours of 28 September 2023, Newcastle Crown Court has 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. Jurors were told the tree was a much-loved feature in Northumberland and had global significance for its position on the former frontier of the Roman empire. 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 the tree down, prosecutors allege. While one used a chainsaw to fell the tree, the other filmed the act of "mindless" vandalism on Mr Graham's mobile phone, jurors have heard. The pair then took the wedge cut out of the trunk home as a "trophy" and revelled in the public's outrage over the following days, the court has heard. In statements read to the jury, staff from the National Trust, which had owned the site since the 1940s, and Historic England emphasised the importance of the tree and wall. Tony Wilmott, a senior archaeologist for Historic England, said Sycamore Gap got its name in the 1980s from the tree in the cleft of the wall. He said the site was "picturesque" and had become one of the "most prominent and appreciated features" in Northumberland, a symbol of the county with an unmistakeable profile. The place had become "totemic", he said, adding it was a place of marriage proposals, family visits and even location of ashes for deceased individuals. "In short, the place is much loved by many thousands of people," Mr Wilmott said, adding its reputation was "spread worldwide" by its inclusion in the 1992 film Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. Lee McFarlane, an inspector of ancient monuments for Historic England, said it was "fortunate" the tree was fully in leaf at the time as the canopy bore the brunt of the impact and weight of the fallen tree. Several stones of the Unesco World Heritage Site wall had been broken though, she added. Ian Everard of the Forestry Commission said the tree had been deliberately cut using a "hinge-and-wedge" technique so it would fall across the wall, adding it was "unequivocally obvious" where it would end up. The National Trust said the wall would cost £1,144 to repair while Historic England said the staff hours spent in assessing the damage ran up a bill of more than £6,000. Jurors also saw body-worn footage from the first police officer at the scene, who arrived at about 11:30 on 28 September and said park rangers were "visibly shocked and upset." Andrew Pode, the National Trust's general manager for Northumberland coast and Hadrian's Wall, said the tree was "world famous" and had been "unlawfully felled", adding: "No-one had the right or permission to cause damage to the tree." Mr Pode said the "iconic" tree had been planted in the 1800s by previous landowner John Clayton to be a "feature in the landscape", with the National Trust taking it over on 10 December 1942. Jurors were shown a photo taken by Alice Whysall-Price, a holidaymaker out for a walk, who is believed to have been the last person to take a picture of the tree intact, the court heard. In a statement read to the court, Ms Whysall-Price said she arrived at the tree at about 17:20 on 27 September while walking the length of Hadrian's Wall. She said the weather was "awful" with wind and rain while a storm was anticipated. The court also heard Mr Graham's mobile phone and Range Rover were tracked to and from the site and the metadata of the felling video showed it had been filmed at the spot of the tree. A forensic botanist, Dr Mark Spencer, examined the picture of the wedge of wood in Mr Graham's car, which prosecutors said the pair had taken as a "trophy", and concluded there was "very strong evidence" it had come from the tree with no other possible source identified, the court heard. The defendants shared screenshots of Facebook posts and media reports in the aftermath, with Mr Graham saying the felling had gone "viral" and "worldwide", the court heard. The trial continues. Follow BBC North East onX,Facebook,NextdoorandInstagram. Send your story ideashere.
Video shows felling of much-loved tree, jury told
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Jurors Presented Footage of Iconic Sycamore Gap Tree Being Felled"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Prosecutors presented mobile phone footage to jurors at Newcastle Crown Court, claiming it captured the moment the historic Sycamore Gap tree was felled. This iconic tree, which had stood for over a century in a dip along Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, was destroyed in the early hours of September 28, 2023, during what was described as a 'moronic mission.' The defendants, Daniel Michael Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, both deny charges of criminal damage related to the tree and the Roman wall. The jury learned that the tree held significant cultural and historical value, symbolizing the area and attracting visitors from around the world. On the night before the felling, the two men allegedly drove from Cumbria to the site, where one used a chainsaw to cut down the tree while the other recorded the act, demonstrating what has been characterized as mindless vandalism. They reportedly took a section of the tree as a trophy and later reveled in the public outrage that followed their actions.
Experts from the National Trust and Historic England testified about the importance of the Sycamore Gap tree and the Roman wall, emphasizing its picturesque nature and the emotional connections many people had to the site. The tree was planted in the 1800s and became a beloved landmark, popular for family visits and even marriage proposals. The felling not only damaged the tree but also resulted in the destruction of several stones from the UNESCO World Heritage Site wall, with repair costs estimated at over £1,000. Forensic evidence indicated that the defendants had deliberately cut the tree in a manner that ensured it would fall across the wall. The trial continues, with further evidence being presented to establish the full extent of the defendants' actions and the impact they had on this cherished landmark.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The news piece highlights a recent court case involving the deliberate destruction of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, a landmark known for its historical significance and beauty. The presentation of mobile phone footage as evidence adds a contemporary twist to the narrative, implying a sense of recklessness and irresponsibility on the part of the accused. This incident has sparked outrage not only locally but also beyond, given the tree's symbolic value and recognition through popular culture.
Public Sentiment and Community Impact
The article aims to evoke a strong emotional response from the public by emphasizing the tree's historical and cultural importance. By detailing how the tree became a beloved landmark and a site for significant life events, the report seeks to rally community support against the accused. The use of terms like "mindless vandalism" and "moronic mission" reflects a deliberate choice to frame the actions of the accused in a negative light, which can further galvanize public sentiment against them.
Underlying Motives and Potential Omissions
While the article focuses on the emotional and cultural significance of the tree, it may overlook broader environmental or legal implications of such acts of vandalism. The prosecution might be using this case to set a precedent for protecting historical sites, which could hint at a larger agenda regarding environmental conservation and the importance of heritage sites. The sensational nature of the incident might also distract from other pressing issues in the community or the legal system, such as environmental policies or local governance challenges.
Comparison with Other News
This story can be seen as part of a growing trend of reporting on environmental conservation and heritage preservation. Similar stories often highlight the clash between modern actions and historical significance, creating a narrative that resonates with environmental activism. The article's placement within the news cycle may align with other stories focusing on climate change or conservation efforts, suggesting a concerted effort to raise awareness around these issues.
Economic and Political Ramifications
While the immediate impact on the economy may be limited, the case could influence local tourism, especially if the tree's destruction leads to more significant discussions about conservation and heritage sites. Politically, this incident may provoke discussions about legislation related to the protection of natural and historical monuments, potentially affecting how local governments manage public spaces.
Community Reception and Support
This news story likely resonates more with communities that value cultural heritage and environmental stewardship. It appeals to those who advocate for the protection of public spaces and may alienate individuals who see such actions as less significant or who prioritize different community concerns.
Influence on Financial Markets
The direct impact of this news on financial markets appears minimal; however, it could influence tourism-related stocks if the case leads to increased awareness of heritage conservation. Companies involved in preservation or tourism might see a positive or negative impact depending on public sentiment regarding such incidents.
Global Context and Relevance
In a broader context, this story ties into ongoing discussions about cultural heritage and environmental protection globally. As societies grapple with the balance between modernization and preservation, incidents like this may become focal points in larger debates about identity and heritage in a rapidly changing world.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
It's possible that AI tools were employed in drafting or editing this news article, particularly in structuring the narrative to highlight key emotional elements effectively. AI could assist in analyzing public sentiment or optimizing the language used to maximize engagement. If AI influenced the article, it might have been in crafting phrases that evoke strong emotional responses or in selecting the most impactful data to include.
In conclusion, the news article serves to spotlight the incident involving the Sycamore Gap tree not only as a legal case but as a cultural touchstone, aiming to foster a sense of community outrage and dialogue about the importance of preserving historical landmarks. The framing of the narrative suggests a need for greater public engagement in heritage conservation issues.