Man responsible for felling Sycamore Gap tree released early from prison

Adam Carruthers, 33, who was sentenced to four years and three months in prison for his role in felling the revered Sycamore Gap tree, has been released early. Carruthers, alongside Daniel Graham, 39, received their sentences in July last year for causing criminal damage to the historic tree near Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland.

Details of the Release

Judge Mrs Justice Lambert had stipulated that the pair would serve 40% of their sentence in custody, with the remainder to be served on licence within the community. The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that Carruthers, from Wigton in Cumbria, was released under the Home Detention Curfew Scheme following a risk assessment conducted by the prison governor. Individuals released under this scheme are subject to strict licence conditions and must be electronically tagged; any breach of these rules can result in their return to prison.

Graham and Carruthers were found guilty of criminal damage to the sycamore, which had stood for over a century, and also to Hadrian's Wall, which was damaged when the tree fell in September 2023. During their trial at Newcastle Crown Court, it was revealed they undertook a “moronic mission” to destroy the landmark, travelling in a storm and taking a piece of the tree as a trophy, later revelling in the widespread media outrage.