Two men were sentenced to more than four years in prison on Tuesday for felling Britain’s iconic 'Sycamore Gap' tree, a world-famous landmark whose striking silhouette was once featured in a Hollywood film.
Sentencing Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, to four years and three months in prison, Judge Christina Lambert told the men they had cut down the tree out of "sheer bravado".
“Mr. Carruthers, your account that you had so much to drink that you had no memory of what you did that night is not plausible. The tree felling demonstrated skill. It required deliberate and coordinated actions by you. As Mr.Graham commented the next day, having seen the photograph of the stump, you didn’t get a bad angle on the stump, and the job seemed professional,” said Judge Lambert.
Estimated to be almost 200-years-old, the sycamore tree stood in the middle of a deep natural hollow in the landscape alongside the historic Hadrian’s Wall in northern England, which made it a popular spot for photographers, hikers, and even marriage proposals.
The pair were found guilty last month of travelling from their homes in the middle of the night in September 2023 to deliberately cut it down using a chainsaw.
Described by the prosecutors as “moronic mission,” the pair filmed the act on Graham’s mobile phone and later bragged about it, before their friendship turned into hostility as their actions caused widespread anger.
Both had denied any involvement in the annihilation of the tree that was featured in the 1991 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves'. The duo also damaged part of Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago.
Eventually, Graham and Carruthers did accept their responsibility when speaking to the probation officers, their lawyers said.
Carruthers’s lawyer, Andrew Gurney, described the crime as "drunken stupidity."
The National Trust, a heritage conservation charity responsible for the site, announced last August that new growth was visible at the tree’s base, raising hopes it could survive.
Meanwhile, last week, the Northumberland National Park said that the largest remaining section of the tree will be displayed in an installation near its original location.
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Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Iran and the U.S. exchanged threats on Tuesday, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tehran to expect the “most intense day" of attacks so far. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “anyone who entertains the illusion of destroying Iran knows nothing of history."
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran has threatened to block the strategic waterway, raising fears of disruption to global oil shipments and energy markets.
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
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