Man in his 60s arrested over Sycamore Gap tree to face no further action

One of the men arrested over the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree has been released and will face no further action by police.

The 200-year-old tree was cut down in September in what is thought to have been a deliberate act of vandalism.

The man, in his 60s, follows a teenage boy who has also previously been told he would face no further action.

Two other men, both in their 30s, are still on police bail.

Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Fenney-Menzies said: ‘I would like to reassure the public that our investigation continues, and we are committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the damage, and in bringing any offenders to justice.

‘Sycamore Gap is an iconic part of our region’s landscape and we know just how much outrage this incident has caused.

‘As always, we continue to welcome any new information from members of the public.’

While most of the tree was chopped up and taken away from Hadrian’s Wall, which was also damaged when it fell, its stump remained in place.

Experts say new shoots could grow and the Sycamore Gap tree could, eventually, regrow to its former glory.

The National Trust, which runs the site, says it was inundated with ideas for what to do with the felled tree.

The 50ft tree is considered a symbol of the Northumbria area by locals, but it became renowned worldwide after it was featured in the Kevin Costner film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

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