Two ‘experienced tree specialists’ who saw the world famous ordinary maple in 2023 in the British Northumberland, each has to go to the prison for four years and three months. The court in Newcastle determined that on Tuesday, British media write.
Intentional destruction, the age-old tree-presumably planted in the nineteenth century-fell on the Roman wall of Hadrianus, UNESCO World Heritage. The tree figured in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991).
On a stormy September night, Daniel Graham (Carlisle, 39) and Adam Carruthers (Wigton, 32) reached the Sycamore Gap Tree. Carruthers sawed the tree and director Graham filmed the vandalist act that took 2.5 to 3 minutes.
Only a month after the destruction, the perpetrators were caught in the collar. According to the judge, the two enjoyed the negative publicity. For example, they shared photos of the destroyed tree and screenshots of hate reactions. The promotion was also well prepared, given the equipment brought along.
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The gap of the maple
Sensationalism
The judge thinks that the men were guided by “sensationalism and branie.” She does not go along in Carruthers’ defense that he was drunk because the sawing of such a tree requires considerable effort. Also the argument of the lawyer of Carruthers, which will walk around his client with a feeling of guilt, could not prevent a prison sentence. The judge also believes little of Graham’s innocence, who sees himself as a follower and tried to put the debt entirely on Carruthers.
Because of the men’s action, Northumberland is a “symbol of pristine beauty” poorer, the judge says. Artists, tourists and locals now only have the photos.
Victim statement
During the eight -day process, the prosecutor spoke of a “debile mission” and the “arboreal equivalent of brainless violence,” writes The Guardian. In addition, the men lacked the decency to take responsibility for the actions, he said.
Furthermore, a lawyer on behalf of the National Trust of the Sycamore GAP recited a victim statement. “The question was why someone would do this to such a beautiful tree in such a special place. It was beyond the imagination.”