These are the faces of the "men" who cut down the beautiful tree that once grew in Sycamore Gap - a natural hollow that is located half way along the course of Hadrian's Wall in the county of Northumberland, England.
It was a famed, iconic and much-loved tree but those two ugly men came along in the dead of night on September 28th 2023 with the sole intention of felling it. They were equipped with a chainsaw and a mobile phone to film the awful act of destruction.
I find it quite ironic that such a unique and lovely symbol of Mother Nature should be destroyed by two such ugly nobodies. That's Graham (39) on the left and Carruthers (32) on the right.
During their recent trial in Newcastle, they sought to wriggle out of their guilt, accusing each other, lying and refusing to explain why they had done it. Maybe they didn't even know themselves. It was just a moronic, ignorant act which at first they boasted about until they realised the level of disapprobation the felling incident had sparked all around the world.
Their conduct in court left a lot to be desired. At one point, one of them asked if he could have a quiet word with the members of the jury and seemed miffed when the judge refused this ridiculous request. There were also a few angry retorts to the main prosecuting barrister as if they found the process of being questioned somehow beneath them.
Anyway, they were found guilty of criminal damage and soon they will be sentenced. Both of them can expect to spend significant lengths of time behind bars. It is impossible to have any sympathy with them whatsoever.
R.I.P.
I cannot fathom why anyone would do something like this. It reminds me of those who have destroyed ancient rock formations at National Parks in the American West.
ReplyDeleteNo. It is beyond my thinking too.
DeleteSenseless vandalism, happens all around the world. No excuses should ever be allowed. Keep us posted as to the length of their sentences.
ReplyDeleteI hope they each get five years but I will try to remember to announce it Deb.
DeleteI'm sure you can't be serious. They are on remand now and will already have served two months by the time of the sentencing hearing in July. Judge is (I hope) playing to the gallery and letting them stew on the prospect of a lengthy custodial sentence in the meantime as part of the punishment. Sentencing guidelines suggest something between a high level correctional order and 9 months. Could I suppose be more if they have a record for this sort of thing which I doubt. I actually think people who cut down or (more commonly) poison trees criminally for personal gain (eg, to obtain a view) are much more reprehensible, but they are rarely caught.
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DeleteYour photo certainly shows the uniqueness of the tree and why it would be missed.
ReplyDeleteSearch Google Images for "Sycamore Gap tree" and you will see many more pictures of that beautiful sycamore.
DeleteThe ugliness of senseless vandalism and ignorant anti-social destructiveness.
ReplyDeleteThat is who they are.
DeleteTrees are very vulnerable. Most (generally nocturnal) tree cutters/poisoners do not create videos boasting of their deeds.
ReplyDeleteIt was all like a joke that was terribly misplaced and in very bad taste.
DeletePolice mug shots are always scary. Was it ignorance that these two went and did a really stupid thing. Punished they should be, it was a wretched thing to have done. What surprises me though is the Sycamore tree itself, having had two gardens with sycamore trees in, they do spread their winged seeds with great abundance everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI believe this one was deliberately planted by a former landowner many years ago.
DeleteSenseless morons. And I always try to be fair and non judgemental.
ReplyDeleteI always look for reasons but in this instance I could not find any.
DeleteI was reading about the felling of the tree in one of the electric newspapers and I thought, I am sure YP has photographed that tree, and sure enough. Seldom are such crimes committed that affect so many people, even me here Down Under.
ReplyDeleteI must admit Andrew that the photo at the end is not my own,
DeleteThey were only "aving a laff"
ReplyDeleteThey're not laughing now.
DeleteThat news was on our TV last night, I was only half listening as I was in the process of serving up my dinner, another cottage pie, because that recipe is just so good!
ReplyDeleteI was very sorry to hear of what they had done, way back when they did it and think they should be made to plant a tree every six months for the length of their sentence.
I would like them to be well-hidden from public view, stewing in their own stupidity.
DeleteGood post, reflecting the views of so many.
ReplyDeleteThank you Poppy.
DeleteI rather hope that they get more than 5 years in jail for such a wanton act of vandelism. Perhaps they just wanted their 15 minutes of fame.
ReplyDeleteThey imagined they would get away with it - such was their stupidity.
DeletePrison isn't the answer. Community Service planting trees and garden maintenance would be more beneficial.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they could be sent to the penal colony on Ireland's Sheep's Head Peninsula and they could labour under your supervision.
DeleteI think they should be required to plant one tree for every day of their sentences, starting with a new Sycamore in Hadrian's Gap. Senseless cruelty. x0x0 N2
ReplyDeleteA few other commenters are saying the same.
DeleteThis kind of vandalism is certainly disgusting, and the tree is a real loss to the world, but I still can't get over the fact that two grown-ass men in their 30s pulled such a juvenile stunt. It would still be terrible if teenagers had done it, but at least teenagers have the excuse of not having fully matured brain function yet!
ReplyDeleteI hope they throw the book at those two.
You are right - behaviour most unbecoming of adult men.
DeleteSuch a senseless act, and of course they filmed themselves doing it.
ReplyDeleteFilming it all and having their whereabouts tracked by mobile phone data. They are what is commonly known as numpties.
DeleteI absolutely do not want them to go to jail, much as I abhor their behaviour. Why should they cost their community even more, they should have lengthy community payback sentences ... perhaps tree planting
ReplyDeleteEvery prisoner in our penal system costs a lot of money to house. Do you want all prisoners to be out there on community service Martine?
DeleteAs we often hear here in America: Lock 'em up.
ReplyDeleteStupid, stupid men.
They are going to get what they deserve.
DeleteYou seem to be conflating their ugly actions with their looks. They look merely human to me. My mother often said “Pretty is as pretty does” so I understand your anger and revulsion, but whether they do or don’t resemble Hollywood matinee idols is irrelevant. You are projecting. Associating your well-founded disapproval of their disgusting act with their facial characteristics is unnecessary. Handsome men can also be monsters.
ReplyDeleteThe conflation was deliberate and heartfelt Bob.
DeleteYes, I agree with River - their sentence should include paying for the planting of a new tree besides serving time.
ReplyDeleteMen like that do not deserve to be near baby trees.
DeleteAgreed. They look ugly nobodies and stupid as ****. I hope they have a horrible time in prison. I cannot believe Graham is only 39 - he looks older than me and I'm 74 years young.
ReplyDeleteYes. But you use Oil of Ulay.
DeleteCertainly an ugly deed (and seems utterly pointless to me) - but like 'rhymeswithplague' I can't see any relevance between that and what the villains look like. (Surely it would be just as bad if the tree had been felled by someone looking like a hero filmstar?)
ReplyDeleteIt's the contrast I was getting at - between their coarse ugliness and the tree's ethereal beauty.
DeleteI have just question
ReplyDeleteWhy
I have just one answer.
DeleteTwats!
it's a lot tidier up there now without all them leaves falling all over the place..... and that pile of stones nearby really needs rebuilding or knocking down anyway
ReplyDeleteAre you mates with Graham and Carruthers?
DeleteTwo angry, stupid men.
ReplyDeleteI find it bewildering that even they can't explain why they did it. We all hear about senseless crimes, but when they're senseless even to the perpetrators, who weren't acting in a moment of heated passion but who planned and executed over a period of hours or even days -- well, that's just bizarre. They injured the entire nation!
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