A FORMER lumberjack accused of felling an iconic tree has returned home after being quizzed by cops who found a huge chainsaw in his barn.
Walter Renwick was arrested on Friday after the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree was chopped down.
Walter Renwick returned to his farmhouse after being quizzed by police
The 69-year-old was arrested on FridayNNP
A chainsaw was recovered at Plankey Mill farm in NorthumberlandNNP
But he returned to Plankey Mill farm in Northumberland yesterday after being released on bail.
The 69-year-old spoke to cops as they continued to stand guard at the property.
He later told The Sun: “I know I’m f***ing innocent right – and that’s all I need to know.”
Police ended their two-day search at Renwick’s isolated farmhouse close to the scene of the crime that shocked the nation.
And a chainsaw – recovered from an outbuilding at the former campsite – was added to dozens more evidence bags.
Hours earlier, he told The Sun: “You’ve got the wrong feller.”
The pensioner added: “I’m a former lumberjack and I’ve just been kicked off my property so I can see why people have pointed the finger.
“My brother came down to make sure I hadn’t been arrested as he had heard a rumour that I had cut it down. I didn’t do it.”
Renwick is understood to have been evicted by the property’s owners on Thursday and is now living in a nearby campervan.
A 16-year-old suspect has also been bailed.
A National Trust spokesperson said: “We are focused on making the site safe, and helping staff and the community come to terms with the news.
“We will be working with Northumberland National Park, other partners and the local community to consider plans for the site and the tree in the future.”
PAThe 300-year-old iconic Sycamore Gap tree was chopped down[/caption]
The 69-year-old spoke to cops as they continued to stand guard Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
