Trial of Sycamore Gap tree felling accused adjourned as court hears one defendant too ill

Adam Carruthers outside Newcastle Crown Court where he is accused of felling the Sycamore Gap tree. Mr Carruthers and Daniel Graham deny causing criminal damage to the tree, valued at £622,000, and £1,114 damage to Hadrian's Wall. Picture date: Monday December 9, 2024.
Adam Carruthers outside Newcastle Crown Court where a trial was due to start. Credit: PA

One of the men accused of felling the famous Sycamore Gap tree is too ill to stand trial, a court has heard.

Daniel Graham, 39, of Milbeck Stables, Carlisle, was unable to attend Newcastle Crown Court, prosecutors said.

His co-accused, Adam Carruthers, 32, of Church Street, Wigton, Cumbria, was in the dock for proceedings.

Mrs Justice Lambert adjourned the trial, which had been scheduled to start on Monday (9 December), and said the next hearing will take place in the week commencing 6 January.

The pair are jointly charged with causing criminal damage worth £622,191 to the much-photographed Northumberland tree.

Everything we know one year on from the Sycamore Gap felling

They are also charged with causing £1,144 of damage to Hadrian’s Wall, a Unesco World Heritage Site, which was hit by the tree when it was felled overnight on 28 September 2023.

The tree and the wall were said to belong to the National Trust.

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