Daniel Graham, a vandal involved in the destruction of the Sycamore Gap tree along with his accomplice, will remain in prison until next year while his partner in the crime has been released early. Graham, aged 40, and his co-accused, Adam Carruthers, aged 33, both received the same sentence of four years and three months last April. Carruthers, who cut down the tree to have a ‘trophy’ for his newborn child, was released after just 10 months under a Government early release program.
Contrary to Carruthers, Graham filmed the act of vandalism and is scheduled for release in January 2027, serving an additional 10 months compared to Carruthers. The early release scheme allows prisoners like Carruthers to serve part of their sentence at home under certain conditions after wearing an electronic tag and spending a set number of hours at their registered address daily.
Different risk assessments and factors contribute to the timing of release under the Home Detention Curfew Scheme, as highlighted by a source. Steve Blair, a general manager at the Twice Brewed Inn near Sycamore Gap, expressed surprise at Carruthers’ early release. Mrs. Justice Lambert, the presiding judge, stated that the convicted individuals would serve a maximum of 40% of their sentences, making them eligible for release in January 2027.
Carruthers had cut down the tree to commemorate the birth of his first daughter and intended to take a piece of the iconic sycamore for his second child. Both Carruthers and Graham provided false explanations to justify their actions, with Carruthers claiming ignorance of the consequences. Locals described Carruthers as lacking intelligence, while Graham was seen as isolated. The Ministry of Justice emphasized strict conditions for those released under the Home Detention Curfew, including electronic monitoring and possible return to prison for rule violations.