Two men charged in connection with felling of 'Robin Hood tree'
Two men have been charged in connection with the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree.
An investigation has been ongoing since the iconic Northumberland tree - which appeared in the movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves - was cut down last September.
This afternoon (Tuesday), two men – aged 38 and 31 – from the Cumbria area have been charged with criminal damage to the tree.
Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, have been charged with causing criminal damage to the famous Sycamore Gap tree and Hadrian's Wall last September in Northumberland, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
They are due to appear at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on May 15.
The men were originally arrested last October in connection with the incident and had been on bail since that date.
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Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Fenney, the Senior Investigation Officer in the case, said: “There has been an ongoing investigation since the Sycamore Gap tree was cut down.
“As a result of those enquiries, two men have now been charged.
“We recognise the strength of feeling in the local community and further afield the felling has caused, however we would remind people to avoid speculation, including online, which could impact the ongoing case.
“We would further ask that anyone with information, who has not already come forward, contact police via the ‘Report’ page of the Northumbria Police website or by calling 101 quoting NP-20230928-0295.”
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There was a national outcry in September when the much-loved, 200-year-old Northumberland tree, which stood in a dramatic dip on Hadrian's Wall, was found to have been cut down.
Gary Fothergill, specialist prosecutor for CPS North East's Complex Casework Unit, said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Northumbria Police to charge Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers with causing criminal damage after the Sycamore Gap tree was cut down last September.
"They have also been charged with causing criminal damage to Hadrian's Wall and will appear at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court on 15 May 2024."
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