Sycamore Gap suspect pictured for the first time as he appears in court to deny causing damage to the iconic tree

A SUSPECT charged with felling the famous Sycamore Gap tree has been pictured for the first time as he appeared before a judge.

Daniel Graham, 38, of Milbeck Stables, Carlisle, was at Newcastle Crown Court for a 10-minute pre-trial hearing.

Adam Carruthers, 31, of Church Street, Wigton, Cumbria, was excused from attendance at the hearing.

They are jointly charged with causing criminal damage worth £622,191 to the much-photographed Northumberland tree.

They are also charged with causing £1,144 worth of damage to Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was hit by the tree when it was felled overnight on September 28, 2023.

Both the tree and the wall were said to belong to the National Trust.

During Tuesday's hearing Graham, who did not cover his face when he walked into court, unlike on previous occasions, was formally arraigned on the charges and denied both of them.

Judge Paul Sloan KC has set a trial date of December 3, with an estimate of 10 days.

He granted Graham conditional bail in the meantime.

There will be a further pre-trial hearing on November 11.

The chopping down of the iconic tree left the nation heartbroken after the mysterious feller struck in the middle of the night.

Northumbria Police said at the time they believed the 300-year-old tree was felled in a deliberate act of vandalism.

The trunk of the landmark tree was removed on October 12 after it was first cut into large pieces.

It is being stored in an undisclosed location before its fate is decided.

The National Trust, who run the site, say a decision on the tree's future is yet to be made, but a public consultation will take place soon.