THIS is the wedge of the Sycamore Gap tree allegedly taken as a trophy by the two pals who are accused of chopping it down.
A video was discovered by police on Daniel Graham’s phone showing the section of tree in the back of his Range Rover, a court heard.
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Next to it is a ‘long bar’ red chainsaw, suspected of being the one used to fell the 49ft-high tree, the jury was told.
Two photographs of the contents of the car boot were also found on the phone.
The meta data of the snaps and the video showed that they were taken at Graham’s home just after 2am – 90 minutes after the tree was chopped down, it was said.
The jury has previously been shown a grainy video of the tree – which had stood next to Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland for more than 100 years – being felled in September 2023.
Prosecutor Richard Wright KC said: “Not content with the video of their activity, at two in the morning that same night, photographs and two short videos were taken on Graham’s mobile telephone which showed a piece of wood, next to a chainsaw, in the boot of Graham’s Range Rover.
“A forensic botanist has confirmed that there is ‘very strong evidence’ to support the hypothesis that the piece of wood in the video and images is the wedge that was taken from Sycamore Gap.
“This was perhaps a trophy taken from the scene to remind them of their actions, actions that they appear to have been revelling in.
“The prosecution believe that the chainsaw used to fell the tree was hidden and still cannot be found.
“Not content with videoing the act, or photographing the aftermath, the prosecution will suggest that the defendants took the wedge of the tree from the scene, perhaps as some sort of trophy.
“Graham’s phone was used to take photographs and videos of a piece of the tree, and a chainsaw in the back of his vehicle at 2am.
“The wedge has still not been found. The chainsaw, not found.”
When asked in a police interview about his movements on the night of the damage, Graham said: “It’s a month ago, I haven’t a f***** clue to be perfectly honest with you, I don’t know.
“I don’t really do a lot to be fair. I’m either at work, the yard or the bird’s round.
“If I cut the tree down I would be able to turn round and say that’s where I was that day. I didn’t cut that tree down, so I didn’t do anything exciting.”
He went on to say: “If I had been with anybody else that night it would be either with the bird or with one of my pals.”
Graham told police: “I know who’s done it and I’m going to get my own back”, but then said he meant he knew who had accused him.
He said: “It’s nowt to do with me and I don’t know who’s done it, but I know who’s put my name forwards.
“I know who’s made the allegation … I know who’s done this to me.”
Graham, 39, of Carlisle, who ran a groundworks firm, and mechanic Carruthers, 32, of Wigton, both Cumbria, deny causing £622,191 worth of criminal damage to the tree and £1,144 worth of criminal damage to Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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