THE senseless destruction of the Sycamore Gap tree has resulted in an outpouring of shock, horror and anger.
The 300-year-old tree in Northumberland was cut down overnight between Wednesday and Thursday last week in what detectives called a “deliberate act of vandalism”.
PAThe felled Sycamore Gap tree on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland[/caption]
PAForensic investigators from Northumbria Police examine the stump[/caption]
It was made famous in a key scene in Kevin Costner‘s 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves and was among the UK’s most photographed trees.
The felling also caused damage to Hadrian’s Wall, one of Britain’s best-known UNESCO world heritage sites.
Why anyone would want to cut down one of England’s most iconic trees has left people across the UK baffled.
Northumbria Police confirmed they are keeping an “open mind” as the investigation continues.
Here are the current suspects police are probing.
Walter Renwick
Walter Renwick is a former lumberjack who lives eight miles from where the UK’s most famous tree had proudly stood.
On September 29, Renwick was arrested after the iconic tree was chopped down.
Police descended on Renwick’s farm in Northumberland, close to the scene of the crime.
They conducted a two-day search of the isolated plot where they found a chainsaw in an outbuilding.
It was added to dozens more evidence bags taken from the former campsite.
But the 69-year-old, who has been released on bail, insists he’s “f***ing innocent”.
He told The Sun: “I’m a former lumberjack and I’ve just been kicked off my property so I can see why people have pointed the finger.
“I didn’t do it”.
And he later added: “Trees have their own DNA and you can use the dust to track down which tree was felled, so it’ll be easy to find who did it.
Walter Renwick, 69, was arrested on September 29NNP
They conducted a search of his home where they found a chainsawNNP
“It was the perfect night to do it.
“There was a full moon so it would have been well lit and the wind would have meant there was barely any sound.”
Renwick is understood to have been evicted by the property’s owners on Thursday and is now living in a nearby camper van.
A 16-year-old boy
Cops were quick to arrest a 16-year-old boy after the tree was found felled early on Thursday morning.
The teen was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
He was released on bail while police continued probing the alleged crime.
Det Chief Insp Rebecca Fenney-Menzies of Northumbria Police said: “The senseless destruction of what is undoubtedly a world-renowned landmark – and a local treasure – has quite rightly resulted in an outpour shock, horror and anger throughout the North East and further afield.
“This investigation is still in the early stages, and we would continue to encourage any members of the public with information which may assist to get in touch.
“If you’ve seen or heard anything suspicious that may be of interest to us – I’d implore you to contact us.
“I’d also like to remind the public that this remains a live investigation so, for that reason, please avoid any speculation both in the community and on social media.
“Any information – no matter how small or insignificant you think it may be – could prove absolutely crucial to our enquiries.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Northumbria Police on 101 quoting log NP-20230928-0295.
ReutersThe felling also caused damage to Hadrian’s Wall[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
