Two men who cut down Sycamore Gap tree jailed for nearly 10 years

For Carruthers,a father-of-two,it will be his first time in prison. He said being separated from his children since being remanded in May had been ‘torture’. Meanwhile,Graham said he was only along for the ride,despite evidence revealing that he filmed everything.  

Since then,his business and home have been attacked and he’s received hate mail.  

However,for many it is hard to sympathise. Andrew Poad,from the National Trust,said the tree was ‘totemic’ and belonged to the people.  

He said: ‘An overwhelming sense of loss and confusion was felt across the world. The question was why anyone would do this to such a beautiful tree in such a special place. 

‘It was beyond comprehension.’