Second Sycamore Gap tree feller released from prison

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 16:32 · Archive

Daniel Graham, 41, has been released on licence after serving 16 months in prison for felling the Sycamore Gap tree beside Hadrian's Wall.

Daniel Graham, 41, has been released from prison on licence after serving more than 16 months, plus time spent on remand. He was sentenced to four years and three months at Newcastle Crown Court in July 2025 for criminal damage to the Sycamore Gap tree and Hadrian's Wall. His former friend Adam Carruthers was released in April.

The landmark tree, which had stood for more than 100 years in a fold in the Northumberland landscape, was felled in September 2023. The pair, both from Cumbria, travelled more than 40 minutes from their homes before carrying equipment across pitch-black moorland during a storm. The felling took less than three minutes. Judge Mrs Justice Lambert concluded that Carruthers cut down the tree while Graham drove him to the site and filmed the felling on his phone.

The pair also took a wedge from the tree as a trophy, which has never been recovered. The destruction caused widespread anger and sadness internationally. At sentencing, Mrs Justice Lambert told the men they would serve 40 per cent of their sentences in custody, with the remainder on licence. A Ministry of Justice spokesman said offenders released on licence are subject to strict conditions and can be returned to prison immediately if they breach them.

How it is being reported

• Second man who felled Sycamore Gap tree releasedDaniel Graham is released on licence after more than 16 months in prison.BBC Cumbria · 12 Oct, 16:10
• Second man jailed over Sycamore Gap tree felling released from prisonThe second man jailed for cutting down the Sycamore Gap tree has been released from prison.Cumberland News · 12 Oct, 15:45

In this story: Daniel Graham · Adam Carruthers · Hadrian's Wall · Northumberland · Sycamore Gap · Cumbria · Mrs Justice Lambert · Newcastle Crown Court

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem