To ask what punishment the guys who cut down sycamore gap tree deserve?

[JorgyPorgy]

I hope those sick thickoes get a jail term but also hefty fine and lengthy community service , planting hundreds of trees . Punishment to fit the crime.
I think they’ve angered & upset so many people globally that they will have targets on their backs now.
That beautiful tree was 300 y o & would have lived hundreds more. Lots of new samplings can’t replace the carbon sink of a mature tree nor give out the oxygen it did, nor support the biodiversity it did. It’s so sad.

Prison would be pointless. Hours of education on the value of a mature tree and then many more hours of community service doing woodland management and tree planting.

I think they should plant 1000 trees each.

Custodial. Because it would screw up their lives a lot more than community service.

I think having to plant new trees for a community service would be good. For about 10 years. Such knobs.

They need to make serious reparations to the communities affected, not cost the taxpayer money in prison. We know the value of the damage caused, they undertake work to that value in the local community until that sum is reached.

I was wondering this too. i can't help hoping they get a custodial sentence along with a fine and community work. They have shown no remorse and pleaded not guilty.

I’d say a hefty fine and lots of community service / community payback .

It costs thousands to keep people in prison. I’m really not sure it’s justified unless you are a danger to the community financial or physical.

Personally I think it's a great fuss about nothing. It's a tree fgs. They aren't serial killers though you would think so the way the media are carrying on. Yes it's vandalism and there should be punishment.

Why is it such a big deal that they cut the tree down? I’m not asking that in a rude wayI’m trying to understand why there is such a huge global upset and would love to understand the impact. And also why did they cut it? Was it just to be spiteful?

I think prision would be wasted on people like this as would educating them as they clearly don’t care. There should be financial punishments instead

This is the sort of crime where lashes/caning would really be a useful punishment (and effective deterrent).

A large fine and a lot of community service. Prison would be pointless in this case.

I want them to get some prison time and also some education

Part of prison is deterrent. It shows others that vandalising things isn't something that can be done without repercussions.
If anything I think destroying the tree was worse than destroying something like a historical statue which would be easier to replicate, its a natural tree which has now lost its age and shape even when replanted.

Public flogging.

I want them sent to the Sahara desert where they have to live with no trees or shade.

For life, preferably.

I don't think prison is appropriate - prisons are full to bursting and should be reserved for dangerous people/crimes against people. I'd like to see them get a huge fine and a LOT of community service. I really cannot understand the mentality of someone who would do something so pointless and destructive. It's difficult to get your head around!

A very hefty fine for each of them and hours of community service focused on planting trees.

It's not reserved for that though, it's used for things like criminal damage, fraud, even mistakes with serious consequences at times.
This definitely falls at the very worse end of those sorts of crimes.

Trees become diseased and die all the time. This was a shocking act of vandalism, no doubt, but it’s not going to make a jot of difference to the planet.

Prison, pay the costs of the investigation into it and bring in prison, education and community service caring for plant life.

I absolutely hate what they did, it was a beautiful tree and to kill something that made that landscape for kicks is sick. Their punishment should be severe to make an example of them. I would love it if they learnt to regret their actions not for being caught or for the punishment, but because they really understand why it was so awful and really want to make amends (even though it just isn't possible).

It was such a mindless, malicious act of vandalism.
I understand why some posters are in favour of community service and in principle I'd agree that it's the most appropriate punishment. My worry is that two people who could cut down a 300 year old tree for no reason and who are showing absolutely no remorse, would be very unlikely to turn up to plant more trees.
How is community service enforced and what would be the penalty for non-compliance?
Edited for typo

Apart from the castration...

• Pay for and plant 1000 trees each
• Attend an education session on why trees are good for the environment
• Explain why they did it, with further punishment for smirking

Given the sentencing laws in this country i expect it to be minimal to be honest. I doubt they will get sent to prison, look what people get for hurting people or animals. I would love them to get prison time but I doubt it will happen.

Bit harsh.

Considering child abusers and murderers, perpetrators of DV, GBH, animal abusers, rapists etc get bugger all half the time.

Fine them as much money as if possible. The Max including court costs, everythings