The iconic Sycamore Gap tree, famous for its appearance in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, made headlines in September 2023 when it was felled overnight. Candour Productions, with exclusive access to Northumbria Police, is producing a two-part documentary for Channel 4 titled Slaying at Sycamore Gap (working title), directed by award-winning Anna Hall.
The film chronicles the police investigation that followed the tree’s destruction, with access to never-before-seen assets, witnesses, suspects, and experts. It follows Detective SIO Rebecca Fenney and DS Calum Meikle as they worked to bring justice for the tree, the local community, and its fans worldwide.
The documentary will feature intimate interviews with those close to the tree, including fans and locals, as well as social media reactions and archival footage. It aims to celebrate the tree’s significance to the region’s identity and capture the global outrage sparked by this senseless crime.
With a motive yet to be determined, the investigation faced challenges due to a lack of CCTV footage and witnesses. Despite these obstacles, the police persisted, and two men, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, were eventually charged with criminal damage, causing significant financial loss. The trial, with both men pleading not guilty, is set to take place in December 2024.
UK News, Channel 4, Slaying at Sycamore Gap
