Two men accused of chopping down the famous Sycamore Gap tree face trial later this year. Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, both from Cumbria, are alleged to have caused £622,191 worth of damage to the tree and £1,144 to Hadrian's Wall. Advertisement Advertisement Sign up to the daily Crime UK newsletter.
All the latest crime news and trials from across the UK. Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Sunderland Echo, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. They both face two charges of criminal damage, in relation to the tree and wall, which is a world heritage site The tree and wall both belong to the National Trust and are places of historic interest or natural beauty.
At Newcastle Crown Court today Carruthers, of Church Street, Wigton, pleaded not guilty to both charges. Graham, of Milbeck Stables, Carlisle, did not attend today's hearing but had denied the same charges previously. Advertisement Advertisement Judge Paul Sloan KC said a trial, which may last ten days, will start on December 3 and both men have been granted bail in the meantime.
Judge Sloan said: "I am adjourning your case to trial. As you've heard the trial is now fixed and will commence on December 3 of this year." The case will be back in court for pre-trial hearings on August 27 and November 5.
The court heard at an earlier hearing the value of the damage was calculated by the CAVAT too.
