The case involving the removal of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree has generated significant public interest, particularly after it was revealed that the individuals convicted of this act were also suspects in a series of homophobic incidents. The two men, Daniel Graham, 39, from Carlisle, and Adam Carruthers, 32, from Wigton, were found guilty by a court last week of unlawfully cutting down the beloved tree located near Hadrian’s Wall on September 27, 2023. This tree had been noted as a landmark and an integral part of the Northumberland landscape.
What adds a layer of intrigue to this case is the timeline of events leading up to the tree’s destruction. Just nine days prior to the felled tree incident, a man—a victim who has chosen to remain unnamed—reported an unsettling experience at a layby in Cumbria, a location known for being frequented by men seeking sexual encounters. He claimed that he was subjected to verbal abuse, which was homophobic in nature, along with the bizarre act of being doused in icing sugar by two individuals. The escalation of such incidents points to the troubling reality of hate crimes that the area is grappling with.
Initially, the investigation into these homophobic assaults faced challenges, and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) ultimately dropped the case more than a year later. However, newly revealed documents indicate that police had prepared a file on Graham and Carruthers, confirming their involvement as suspects. This suggests that the law enforcement agencies did recognize a potential connection between these individuals and the increase in hate crimes during that time.
Further elucidating the victim’s experience, it was reported that he clearly remembered being approached by the occupants of a black jeep while he was parked. Following the verbal assault, a bag of icing sugar was hurled into his vehicle, prompting him to report the incident to the police on the same night. Despite providing detailed testimony about the incident, including a description of the jeep and parts of its registration number, the police could not track down any suspects. The victim expressed frustration that local law enforcement did not act swiftly enough to check surveillance footage, despite having enough information to do so.
Cumbria Police stated that investigations were thorough, employing the registration number provided, only to discover that the vehicle associated with that number had never entered Cumbria. Nonetheless, police acknowledged the investigation’s complexity and assured the public that all possible lines of inquiry were pursued.
As time elapsed, the situation took more complications. By April 2024, a police officer finally contacted the initial victim with updates concerning the case. This interaction occurred after two men were arrested related to the homophobic incidents, and the police had obtained video evidence that displayed the abuse inflicted on multiple victims. One victim described distress upon seeing a recording that depicted another individual experiencing similar homophobic harassment, asserting that it was a deeply troubling experience. Although some victims were identified through these videos, the initial victim expressed the inability to identify the suspect definitively.
The CPS later faced criticism when, in December 2024, they opted not to proceed with charges against Graham and Carruthers, citing insufficient evidence and the challenges related to identifying them as the perpetrators involved in the various incidents.
In light of these developments, the victim decided to invoke the Victims’ Right to Review Scheme permitted by the CPS after learning the suspects’ names. In correspondence with the victim, detectives conveyed disappointment over the CPS’s original decision and named Graham and Carruthers. This revelation led the victim to Google their names, leading to the shocking realization of their identities.
Despite the efforts made to appeal the initial ruling, the CPS upheld their decision not to press charges, while they emphasized their commitment to prosecuting hate crimes wherever sufficient evidence exists. The gravity of these revelations related to both the fallen tree and the associated hate crimes serves as a stark reminder of the issues surrounding homophobic violence and the need for continued vigilance and action against such abhorrent acts in society.