Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers are on trial at Newcastle Crown Court after deliberately cutting down the famous Sycamore Gap tree, an act described by prosecutors as 'mindless vandalism' and captured on mobile phone footage.
Two friends, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, stand accused of deliberately cutting down the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in what has been described as an act of "mindless vandalism" and a "moronic mission." The incident, which involved using a chainsaw to fell the tree, was filmed on a mobile phone, according to prosecutors presenting the case at Newcastle Crown Court.
The Sycamore Gap tree, located beside Hadrian's Wall, is a well-known natural landmark and a feature of the Northumberland countryside that has been admired by locals and visitors alike. On the morning of the court hearing, Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, outlined the details of the case, emphasising the intentional and skilful method employed to bring down the tree.
Mr Wright told the jury that the approach used by the defendants demonstrated both expertise and determination. He said one of the men cut across the tree’s trunk, causing it to fall and collide with the ancient Hadrian's Wall, while the other recorded the event on Graham’s mobile phone.
The footage, it is alleged, was made as a "trophy" to commemorate the act. Further claims presented at the hearing suggested that the two men joked between themselves after members of the public reacted on social media about the felling. They reportedly congratulated each other on successfully "launching an operation like we did last night."
The Sycamore Gap tree, often featured in photographs for its striking silhouette against the landscape and its proximity to the Roman-era wall, has been a symbol of natural heritage and history in the area. The loss has prompted significant attention and public discussion about the incident.
The Express is reporting that the trial at Newcastle Crown Court continues as details of the case emerge, with the community and wider public awaiting the outcome as the proceedings unfold.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative appears to report on a recent trial, which suggests it is relatively fresh. However, specific dates for the trial or incident are not mentioned. No evidence of recycled news was found.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
No direct quotes from earlier sources were found. The narrative includes quotes from the prosecutor, but these do not appear to be recycled from previous articles. No earliest known reference was located.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Express, which is a well-known publication. However, while widely read, it does not always have the highest journalistic standards compared to more prestigious outlets like The Financial Times or The BBC.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims of vandalism and the context provided (e.g., the use of a chainsaw, filming the act) seem plausible given the public's reaction and the high-profile nature of the Sycamore Gap tree. However, without further evidence or details, some aspects remain unverified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be mostly fresh and likely true, given its recent reporting and context. However, certain details remain unverified, and the source, while known, may have varying levels of reliability. Therefore, a verdict of 'OPEN' is assigned due to the lack of comprehensive confirmation on all claims.
