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Original poster

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

323 replies

JorgyPorgy · 01/05/2025 09:04

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.

OP posts:
Bramshott · 01/05/2025 11:36

Seeing as it costs us over 50k a year to keep one person in prison I'm not sure that would be my first choice here. Community service planting a whole load of trees seems more appropriate.

GoldfinchFeather · 01/05/2025 11:38

I think what makes this worse for me is that they were fully cognizant and aware of what they were doing. By that I mean I remember there was speculation in the immediate aftermath that it had been done by people who were drunk. That wouldn't have excused it, obviously, but if they had been drunk and then being extremely remorseful afterwards, there would be an argument for greater leniency imo.

That wasn't the case here. They planned it in advance, specifically drove to the location for that purpose, and then afterwards were apparently reveling in what they'd done when they started seeing the reaction on social media. For that alone, the punishment should be substantial.

IridaceaeFloribunda · 01/05/2025 11:41

I think they should have to wear orange onesies with I’m the tree cutting twat emblazoned them for the next twenty years. I feel this would be a good punishment for lots of antisocial behaviour tbh.

Lavender14 · 01/05/2025 11:43

Was there ever any explanation as to why they decided to cut it down?

Was it just destruction of a natural landmark for shits and giggles?

LaurieFairyCake · 01/05/2025 11:45

Paying for a new 300 year old tree - would cost thousands

plus at least 1000 hours community service in a national park learning how to steward our environment

Jail if they didn’t comply

UnbeatenMum · 01/05/2025 11:47

The reason it's such a big deal is that that tree is irreplaceable in anyone's lifetime. I was at Notre Dame recently which has been beautifully restored in the space of 6 years since the fire, still some to do I believe but it's looking amazing. A 300 year old tree just can't be.

Malagase · 01/05/2025 11:48

I have never visited the tree but to see it cut down needlessly upset me and so many friends.

I would like him to feel the pain for a long time.
A massive fine, let him lose his home, I don't care.

I am so sick of this world where a small group of losers seem to spoil so much that brings joy to others.

Original poster
JorgyPorgy · 01/05/2025 11:49

HopeSpringsInfernal · 01/05/2025 09:40

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

Edited

That’s a good point, I never see anyone doing community service, yet we know it’s a common sentence- how is it enforced indeed ?! Do they just not turn up. Is there a fine for not turning up & how are they made to pay it if they don’t work etc? Police should go & drag them there & if they won’t do their service then they do a prison sentence with no privileges until they complete community service. The tree cutters do work so they can pay up.

OP posts:
MoistVonL · 01/05/2025 11:51

It was NOT a mindless act of vandalism.

They had to drive 40 minutes each way and carry equipment. It was a fully considered act of desecration to a spot internationally known and loved.

They might as well have taken bricks to the stained glass at York Cathedral.

Then they gloated about going viral.

Now they are pleading not guilty, costing the system thousands.

Jail time. If possible under sentencing guidelines, an enormous fine as well. The full weight of the law to reflect the destruction of their nasty act.

Original poster
JorgyPorgy · 01/05/2025 11:53

Glitchymn1 · 01/05/2025 09:43

Bit harsh.

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

Show quote history

Well those other offences deserve worse than flogging .

OP posts:
GetDressedYouMerryGentlemen · 01/05/2025 11:57

Make them the but of 10,000 jokes, make their names the byword for being thick and pointless. They seem to think that doing such an a 'audacious' thing makes them some sort big guys so make them the very opposite. Scumbags.

Original poster
JorgyPorgy · 01/05/2025 11:58

I was curious to see what they look like. They are both denying it even those there’s evidence, each blaming the other. They’re both equally to blame just by being there while it was cut down .

To ask what punishment the guys who cut down sycamore gap tree deserve?
OP posts:
GeorgianaM · 01/05/2025 12:00

Stocks erected at the site and the men in their underwear paraded on a walk to it and then placed in the sticks and members of the public invited to bring rotten fruit and veg and eggs to pelt them with.

Original poster
JorgyPorgy · 01/05/2025 12:04

GeorgianaM · 01/05/2025 12:00

Stocks erected at the site and the men in their underwear paraded on a walk to it and then placed in the sticks and members of the public invited to bring rotten fruit and veg and eggs to pelt them with.

Yes and 💩

OP posts:
Shade17 · 01/05/2025 12:05

It’s insignificant when compared to areas of ancient woodland destroyed for HS2 - that’s by far a much bigger “crime”. Nobody’s being punished for that though.

houwseevryweekend · 01/05/2025 12:06

SnackDealer25 · 01/05/2025 09:14

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

Same reason damaging buildings or artefacts from history are a crime. Can you imagine if we had this attitude to monument, art work, documents and objects from our past - there’d be no evidence of our civilisation left. Or the reason we preserve species and it’s illegal to damage bird nests. 300 years old and nature is to be respected. There’s people who have no connection or respect for anything but money and enjoying destroying beautiful things, because they can.

NoTouch · 01/05/2025 12:09

They did it specifically choosing that tree and it falling on the wall so they would get maximum attention. Lets give them the prolonged attention they desire.

Significant community service (300hrs I think is the max), curfews/tagged, and education would be appropriate. No need for us to pay to house and feed them in prison.

Don't agree with those saying community service planting trees, some people do that as a hobby / volunteering! Something not quite as pleasant such as cleaning litter/graffiti/clearing wasteland etc.

Leafy74 · 01/05/2025 12:12

I want to see them punished in line with the law.

zzpleb · 01/05/2025 12:12

Have they been found guilty or is the case still ongoing?

cramptramp · 01/05/2025 12:15

I think the maximum prison sentence for what they’ve done is 10 years. I want them to get that. No early release. Full 10 years. I hope it ruins their lives.

FiveBarGate · 01/05/2025 12:18

Viviennemary · 01/05/2025 09:10

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.

What if it were another landmark? Say they set fire to st Paul's cathedral or drove a bulldozer through Hadrian's wall. Would that be the same?

Nanny0gg · 01/05/2025 12:24

NewKnix · 01/05/2025 10:40

£100 fine. It wasn't a human or animal. What was it worth? £4oo for making furniture. But you would still have to cut it down to realise that value.
Next case!

Wouldn't even be worth it

It was a world heritage site.

It was beautiful

It was wanton, stupid vandalism

MuchuseasaChocolateTeapot · 01/05/2025 12:25

Tattoo “I am an utter dick” on their foreheads? Seriously LOADS of community service (think maximum is 300 hours).

harijes · 01/05/2025 12:30

Community service is an alternative to custody so if they don’t do it then custody.

they have not shown remorse, not plead guilty, so the added cost now of a trial.

it just goes on and on.

gattocattivo · 01/05/2025 12:30

Massive fines and community service. Hopefully the strength of feeling against them will make them realise their own families are indirectly victims here. I often think with thick blokes like this, they might not care if the general public despise them, but they don’t like the idea of their children, their partners or their elderly parents and other family members potentially being ridiculed or disliked by association