Sycamore Gap tree verdict

Oreo

Councils and builders are the worst culprits where cutting down healthy trees are concerned.

Yes Oreo, completely agree with u 😒

I did suggest at the time of the trial that these men were unwise not to plead guilty, as I understand that there was plenty of evidence of their crime ( most of it supplied by them, it seems!)
A swift sentencing hearing would have followed.
By electing for a trial, they have exposed themselves to significant media attention over a fair amount of time, allowing many people to know all about them. I am not sure that this has done them any favours amongst locals.

watermeadow

It was vandalism from 2 morons. I hope they are punished appropriately but talk of a 10 year jail term is far far longer than they’d get for serious offences against a child or an animal.

A tree is a living thing is it not?

NotSpaghetti

JaneJudge - but they did also damage the wall.

yes, I suppose repaying the cost will be part of the sentencing

It was vandalism from 2 morons. I hope they are punished appropriately but talk of a 10 year jail term is far far longer than they’d get for serious offences against a child or an animal.

JaneJudge - but they did also damage the wall.

I live far south and have never been to that part of the country so hadn’t heard about this tree until it was cut down. It did look lovely in its position by the ancient wall but understand it’s not dead as shoots can be seen. It may be a while, but good news.

As for prison I am not sure that is an option or the right choice. A lengthy Community service woukd probably be a better sentence.
Prisons have few empty cells and shoukd be reserved for those who are a danger to others.

It's interesting as I was speaking to someone who is a law expert and they said they don't think they will be able to charge them with much as at the end of the day as it wasn't even a protected tree

The judge will direct the jury.

If they are swayed by things they have seen in social media that would become evident when discussions take place and the Chairman should take charge. Sentencing is not down to the jury.

Is it so easy to dismiss anything one has heard re a court case ?

ViceVersa

Anniebach

I have always thought public opinion was a factor in all criminal cases

Absolutely not. The vast majority of criminal cases go through the court system and sentencing without most members of the public even knowing about them, apart from those directly involved in the case itself. It's usually only the more high profile cases which attract the attention of the general public.

Absolutely not again!

Cases have sometimes been thrown out of court because they have been discussed on social media to the detriment or otherwise of the accused which makes it prejudicial to a fair trial.

I'm not saying that mistakes are not made on occasion and evidence withheld, but the CJS in the UK is a fair one on the whole, at least in more recent years.

lemsip reminds us that prison can be a deterrent and I suspect in this case, we need it

windmill1

As to why they did it, I doubt even they know - so thick are they.

A policewoman friend did once tell me that she often got to hear the three stock replies that suspects routinely come up with when they admit what they did and why they did it.

"I was bored" or "I did it for a laugh" or - the worst one - "I don't know".

Ye Gods!

Disaffected, angry about the caravan, wanting to hurt/spoil, maybe prove something to each other, get anonymous attention through notoriety - and thinking they would get away with it.

For me any sentence would include hard reparative work, the trouble is prisons don't offer this and would community schemes currently available fit the bill?

The Sycamore Gap tree or Robin Hood tree was a 150-year-old sycamore tree next to Hadrian's Wall near Crag Lough in Northumberland, Eng.

if not stopped they's be hacking at Hadrians wall next!

Grantanow

I think this has been overblown.

Why?

As to why they did it, I doubt even they know - so thick are they.

A policewoman friend did once tell me that she often got to hear the three stock replies that suspects routinely come up with when they admit what they did and why they did it.

"I was bored" or "I did it for a laugh" or - the worst one - "I don't know".

Ye Gods!

NotSpaghetti I'm afraid I don't know. His photos find their way onto my Fb page quite regularly though.

What a lovely photo by Steve Clements, MiniMoon... is he local?

Neither do I

Grantanow

I think this has been overblown.

I don't.

I looked for the sycamore tree whenever we travelled home along the military road. The gap is still there of course,but there is no tree. I think perhaps that you have to live in the area to really appreciate its significance. It was a major tourist draw and our community will be a little poorer without it.

This isn't my photo, it's by Steve Clements.

I'm not sure they thought it would necessarily be such a "big thing".
I'm sure they loved it afterwards though!

I think they wrte just driven by the excitement of felling it.

I think this has been overblown.

These idiots actually drove some distance to film their actions at night. They intended to do it because this beautiful tree was an iconic image and they thought they would cause an outcry. It was a bit of fun for them. Well they have to be made an example of what happens when you destroy something loved and appreciated and for that reason only. Community service for a year working at planting trees and a few days in prison preferably in isolation so they can reflect on what they have done.

You are right easybee about developers.
"Oh dear that was a miscommunication - sorry"
- too late.
Fines factored into the build. Small sapling planted and left to die in poor earth/not watered.