On 29th September 2023 the UK woke to the devastating news that the iconic Sycamore Gap tree had been felled overnight. I, like many others, was outraged and confused by this senseless attack.
The 300 year old Sycamore tree, owned by the National Trust, located at a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a star in the 1991 blockbuster Robin Hood film was gone. For what reason? Who would do that?
The Northumbria Police cordoned off the tree stump, secured the scene and launched an investigation. This extensive forensic investigations led to the CPS laying 2 charges against two accused at the Newcastle Crown Court. Both defendants charged with criminal damage to Hadrian’s wall and criminal damage to the Sycamore tree.
The value of the damage to Hadrian’s wall has been quantified at £1,144. The value of the damage to the Sycamore tree at £622,191. The CAVAT tree valuation system has been used to put a value on the damage to the tree.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges laid against them. A 10 day trial starts at the Newcastle Crown Court on 28 April. The evidence that will come out at trial includes:
🧾Cell site analysis – geo location evidence in relation to the defendants’ mobile phones
🧾ANPR evidence in relation to vehicles
🧾Botany – DNA analysis evidence in relation to the tree and sawdust samples
All eyes in the tree law world will be focused on the trial in April. Never has a tree crime captured the UK’s attention and hearts as much as this one. Still no one knows what the motive for this crime was.
With the possibility of a custodial sentence of up to 10 years, this could be a significant outcome.
Check out how we can help with criminal tree cases – Tree Crime | Tree Law – Legal tree expert
Check out our report on Tree Law TV the morning after the felling – Tree Oclock News reporting on the illegal felling of the Sycamore Gap tree
