The famous Sycamore Gap Tree was cut down with a chainsaw by two men in September last year. Now, six months later, the suspects are officially charged. It took so long to gather evidence and formulate charges.
The maple was also known as Robin Hood’s tree, because it was best known for the 1991 film ‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves’, in which it was prominently featured.
When the tree suddenly appeared to have been cut down last year, the United Kingdom was in turmoil, as can be seen in this video:
Iconic tree
The tree, believed to be around 300 years old, was in the Northumberland National Park, in the north of England. Its location, in a valley between two hills next to the Hardrian Wall, a monument, made the tree a popular picture that was captured every year by thousands of walkers.
In 2016, the tree was even named tree of the year by a British forest protection organization.
But last year the iconic picture came to an end, when the tree was taken down with a chainsaw. The perpetrators, two Britons aged 38 and 31, were arrested but released on bail.
Formulate charges
It took about six months to formulate charges against them that would hold up in court, but now the time has come. The two men have been officially charged with causing criminal damage, including to Hadrian’s Wall, which was damaged when the tree fell, Reuters reports.
The men are due to appear at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on May 15.
