WATCH: Court shown video footage of Sycamore Gap tree being cut down in under 3 minutes
Mobile phone footage, which prosecutors say is of the famous Sycamore Gap tree being cut down in less than three minutes has been played in court.
Last updated 30th Apr 2025
Mobile phone footage, which prosecutors say is of the famous Sycamore Gap tree being cut down in less than three minutes has been played in court.
Daniel Graham, 39, of Milbeck Stables, Carlisle, and Adam Carruthers, 32, of Church Street, Wigton, Cumbria, are on trial at Newcastle Crown Court charged with two counts each of criminal damage - one to the tree and one to Hadrian's Wall, which was damaged when the tree fell on it.
On the second day of the trial on Wednesday, jurors were shown a two-minute and 41-second video, enhanced by the police, which the court heard was taken from Graham's iPhone, of what prosecutors say is the hundred-year-old sycamore being chopped down.
Police analyst Amy Sutherland said the video was in the download section of Graham's phone, which was taken from his jacket pocket.
She said it was "in darkness" but that "sounds of a chainsaw" could be heard.
Ms Sutherland told the court she had been able to get the co-ordinates of where it was filmed from the metadata, and that the co-ordinates were for Sycamore Gap.
Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, told jurors earlier in the trial that the video had been enhanced by a Northumbria Police expert but was still "extremely dark", although what appears to be the outline of a tree can be seen, initially upright, before falling to the ground by the end of the clip.
What prosecutors say is the "unmistakable sound of a chainsaw" can be heard.
The video was shown to jurors twice - once showing the dark, raw footage, and a second time after it had been enhanced by a police specialist.
In the enhanced black and white version, with audio of wind blowing and a chainsaw buzzing, a figure can been seen working at the trunk of the tree, before it finally crashes to the ground.
Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, said the original video was enhanced by changing the contrast, putting a border around the frame and brightening the film "so it could be seen more clearly".
Opening the case to jurors on Tuesday, Mr Wright described how the video "moves around and zooms in and out as the recording continues".
About half way through the video, the chainsaw quiets, Mr Wright said, and someone removes a wedge from the tree, before the machine starts up again and the sycamore falls.
He told jurors: "It will be a matter for you what you think this video shows.
"The prosecution suggest that the video was taken by someone holding the phone in their hand."
Jurors heard the video was filmed on Daniel Graham's phone in "real time" at 12.32am on September 28.
Police analyst Amy Sutherland took jurors through messages between Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers on the morning of September 28 2023 about news coverage of the tree felling.
In one message Graham said to Carruthers: "Not a bad angle on that stump", adding: "That's clearly a professional."
One screenshot sent by Carruthers to Graham showed Facebook comments with a circle around one that said: "Judging by the quality of the cut and size of tree I would say whoever it was has knowledge of how to fell large trees."
Newcastle Crown Court heard there was another comment underneath a man called Kevin Hartness saying: "Some weak people that walk this earth disgusting behaviour."
Jurors were played a voice note from Graham to Carruthers saying: "That Kevin Hartness comment. Weak... f** weak? Does he realise how heavy shit is?"
Carruthers replied with his own voice note saying: "I'd like to see Kevin Hartness launch an operation like we did last night... I don't think he's got the minerals."
Jurors were shown a further CCTV clip from the Twice Brewed Inn which showed the vehicle headlights coming from Steel Rigg car park at 12.58am on September 28.
Police analyst Amy Sutherland Daniel Graham's phone connected to the network at 1.29am after being detached at 11.41pm.
Jurors at Newcastle Crown Court were shown images of a chainsaw and a piece of wood taken at around 2am, with metadata showing they were taken at Graham's home.
The court heard that from around 9.20am, the defendants swapped messages on WhatsApp of social media posts about the breaking news that the tree had ben felled.
After Carruthers shared a post about the news, calling it "an awful moment for people walking Hadrian's Wall", Graham replied: "Here we go."
The court heard Graham sent a voicenote to Carruthers using his nickname, saying: "Jeffrey, it's gone viral, it's gone worldwide, it will be on ITV News tonight."
Later, Graham sent another message saying: "Jeffrey, it's on f** Sky News as we speak."
Carruthers sent Graham a video of the Sky News channel's rolling news banner.
Graham and Carruthers deny all the charges.
The trial continues.