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.

i heard they posted their crime on social media for attention .Anyone who posts a crime on social media for attention should get a tougher sentence as a deterrent

I find it very jarring that many people want harsher punishments for cutting down a tree than many get for rape and assault... Apparently trees get more empathy than people, especially women. Who knew!

The issue with community service is that there’s often a limit to the hours that can be imposed depending on the crime. 300 hours is the absolute max.

That’s just under 2 months full time or every Saturday for 37 weeks ( 9 months).

What makes you think those people don’t want much harsher punishments for rape and assault? What a bizarre way of thinking, to assume if someone wants a harsh punishment for this act, it must mean that they want less harsh punishment for more serious offences

Prison. They are denying it, costing more to go to court, had they admitted they did it then maybe appropriate community service but the fickheads are not admitting anything even with obvious evidence so they should be jailed .

Ridiculous and insulting statement FiveWhat. Nobody, apart from you has said that as you well know.

Have they given any explanation for why they did it? Obviously the reason doesn’t matter when it comes to sentencing for something like this, I was just curious about why someone would do this.

And polluting rivers streams and dumping rubbish. And destroying the rainforest. It's one tree fgs. Get over it.

It wasn't their tree or their land. There was no reason for them to do it and they had no right. Would you think it was reasonable for someone to knock down a wall of Durham Cathedral because they felt like it?

They need to be punished to make an example of them.

It’s only just started! Probably 5 days until jury is sent to deliberate. How they are pleading not guilty with the weight of evidence I don’t understand.

Two year in prison. Out in half if well behaved, which might be a struggle for them. This was a crime against people. Against all the people who scattered ashes there, who proposed there and who loved the spot. It has made people's lives worse.
They wanted to make people's lives worse and to cause upset and they didn't even have the moral courage to own it. Wankers.
And they are worse than the squadies who destroyed Paddington bear who at least pleaded guilty and apologised.

I like this idea and they should have to wear them whilst doing community service so we know who they are.

@IridaceaeFloribunda sorry for some reason I haven't you. Don't know what went wrong there but love the orange onesies idea

No. Because those are unique and can not be replaced.

That is a stupid comparison.

It should be something that sends a messge to others. They destroyed a beautiful tree which gave pleasure to so many. They knew what they were doing and didn't care.
I'd say a prison sentence and a masssive fine.

Have they actually said why they did it?
No idea on sentencing. I bet legally they can only be fined a few quid and do a bit of community service for criminal damage. Yes, tree-planting would be appropriate. Was it for a TikTok video? To get likes?

Wow, so less than most rapes?

Apparently the tree has been valued at over 600K, so presumably they will both end up bankrupt, and getting a jail term of a couple of years.

Honestly, I think it’s harsh, when compared to the misery caused by drug dealers, for example.

It’s only a tree. Yes it was a horrible thing to do. But another one willl grow. I went to sycamore gap a few months ago and could really see what all the fuss was about.

Not sure how practical this is but I agree with the sentiment. It’s not just these 2 idiots we need to think of. There will be others who want their moment of viral fame and need to know there will b@e serious consequences.

its for the judge but I do think that a custodial sentence would be appropriate. From recollection tion they caused some £600k of criminal damage. That’s significant.

I think if you read the sentencing guidelines, there is no way they’ll get ten years. My estimate is 2.5-3.5 years, plus a compensation order which will be less than 600K.

There’s people who have no connection or respect for anything but money and enjoying destroying beautiful things, because they can.

Totally agree and you can instantly tell the posters on here who have no internal spiritual life.

Not pointless as it will protect other trees from these morons. Personally I am a great believer in making the punishment fit the crime, chop of an appendage of theirs! Which appendage? Answers on a postcard!

A 150 year old tree can't be replaced in that same location either.

"It's just a tree", yeah, who cares if it's stood there for longer than any of us will ever live for?!

It's saddening and maddening to see how little care some people here have for the environment around them.

That is a very profound and well made point.

It’s a perfectly valid comparison. A 300 year old tree can’t be replaced. I’d cut their fucking hands off.