Close

Justice was not done, says Wolverhampton woman who spent £500 to see Sycamore Gap vandals jailed

A 78-year-old great-grandmother who spent £500 on travel and accommodation to see the Sycamore Gap vandals sentenced has said justice was not done.

By contributor Tom Wilkinson, PA
Published

Sheila Hillman and husband John took the train from Wolverhampton to be at Newcastle Crown Court to see Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers sentenced for cutting down the landmark tree.

Sheila Hillman, 78, from Wolverhampton, spent £500 on travel and accommodation to see Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers being sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court to four years and three months for criminal damage after the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree. Photo: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
Sheila Hillman, 78, from Wolverhampton, spent £500 on travel and accommodation to see Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers being sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court to four years and three months for criminal damage after the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree. Photo: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

Staying at a nearby hotel, the couple said the bill would come to £500, but she felt she needed to be in court to see the judicial process completed.

The felled Sycamore Gap tree, on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland. Photo: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
The felled Sycamore Gap tree, on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland. Photo: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

Mrs Hillman, who grew up on Tyneside, had a front row seat in the public gallery for the day-long hearing.

She was in hospital undergoing a serious operation when Graham and Carruthers were convicted in May and she told her surgeon she intended to be well enough to see them sentenced.

Daniel Graham, 39, (left) and Adam Carruthers, 32, who have been jailed for cutting down the Sycamore Gap tree. Photo: Northumbria Police/PA Wire
Daniel Graham, 39, (left) and Adam Carruthers, 32, who have been jailed for cutting down the Sycamore Gap tree. Photo: Northumbria Police/PA Wire

Outside court, the retired office manager said: “Seeing the tree broke my heart. I was incensed.

“Then they got four years and three months and it’s likely they will serve two and a half.

Shoots appearing to grow on the base of Sycamore gap tree in Northumberland. Photo: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
Shoots appearing to grow on the base of the Sycamore gap tree in Northumberland. Photo: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

“I wanted to be here to see justice done but we haven’t got it.

“I don’t think it’s long enough.”