Sycamore Gap Trial Begins

[sparkins]

I have been following the court report this morning - there is a little doubt that the accused are guilty from the opening statements and evidence referenced this morning. I have always been baffled by the motive - was it a dare, were they paid by a 3rd party or something else? It makes close to zero sense.

Sycamore Gap tree felling trial under way

Two men are on trial accused of causing damage to the Sycamore Gap tree and Hadrian's Wall.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Boro.Fur]

Even more baffled that they've both pleaded not guilty. They made a video of them doing it ffs. Hopefully that leads to a longer spell inside.

 

[sparkins]

Even more baffled that they've both pleaded not guilty. They made a video of them doing it ffs. Hopefully that leads to a longer spell inside.

I suspect they may be relatively new to this thinking lark.

 

[JackG]

Even more baffled that they've both pleaded not guilty. They made a video of them doing it ffs. Hopefully that leads to a longer spell inside.

After following the prosecution's case outline, it's tough to see how the accused can mount a successful defence. We shall see.

 

[ThePrisoner]

Make a gibbet from the tree. Just saying.

 

[Boro.Fur]

After following the prosecution's case outline, it's tough to see how the accused can mount a successful defence. We shall see.

I'll defend anyone's right to a fair trial but I just think they are both taking the pizz and wasting taxpayers money while they're at it.

 

[Hicktonpen10]

It really is hard to fathom what on earth the motive was here.

 

[sparkins]

It really is hard to fathom what on earth the motive was here.

My suspicion has always been something like a pub bet, or a need for notoriety.

 

[Hicktonpen10]

My suspicion has always been something like a pub bet, or a need for notoriety.

Possibly but still hard to understand two men of that age involving themselves in such an action.

 

[speckyget]

After following the prosecution's case outline, it's tough to see how the accused can mount a successful defence. We shall see.

Self defence? Sadly we'll never hear the tree's version.

 

[Andy_W]

It really is hard to fathom what on earth the motive was here.

Knob heads don't need a motive.

Knob head is, knob head does.

Hopefully they get what they deserve, which is prison time and have to pay for all the damages and court costs. A few years in jail and a million or so in costs would absolutely wreck their lives, they won't be laughing then.

Seemingly an expected term is 5-10 years, and seeing as they've pleaded not guilty and showed no remorse, they're likely to end up near the top of that scale. Probably get 8-10 years and do half that inside.

 

[Norman_Conquest]

My suspicion has always been something like a pub bet, or a need for notoriety.

I would also add a wealthy landowner to that equation.

 

[The_Lizards_Jumpers]

My suspicion has always been something like a pub bet, or a need for notoriety.

Their actions after the event certainly seem to point that way (reading the BBC coverage of the trial)

 

[Hicktonpen10]

Knob heads don't need a motive.

Knob head is, knob head does.

Hopefully they get what they deserve, which is prison time and have to pay for all the damages and court costs. A few years in jail and a million or so in costs would absolutely wreck their lives, they won't be laughing then.

Seemingly an expected term is 5-10 years, and seeing as they've pleaded not guilty and showed no remorse, they're likely to end up near the top of that scale. Probably get 8-10 years and do half that inside.

Hope you're right but suspect 3/4 yrs.

 

[JM14]

Knob heads don't need a motive.

Knob head is, knob head does.

Hopefully they get what they deserve, which is prison time and have to pay for all the damages and court costs. A few years in jail and a million or so in costs would absolutely wreck their lives, they won't be laughing then.

Seemingly an expected term is 5-10 years, and seeing as they've pleaded not guilty and showed no remorse, they're likely to end up near the top of that scale. Probably get 8-10 years and do half that inside.

Not saying they don’t deserve it, but a sentence that long would open up a big discussion about far worse crimes that don’t get close to that amount of time inside

 

[The_Lizards_Jumpers]

Not saying they don’t deserve it, but a sentence that long would open up a big discussion about far worse crimes that don’t get close to that amount of time inside

Open up a discussion all you want, sentencing guidelines aren't and shouldn't be a comparison of "is crime A worse than crime B"

 

[Andy_W]

Not saying they don’t deserve it, but a sentence that long would open up a big discussion about far worse crimes that don’t get close to that amount of time inside

The courts do like to make an example though, depends on the judge I suppose.

 

[UgoAfro]

"The trial is pausing for the rest of the day and will resume at 10:00 tomorrow."

Classic courtroom. Can't understand why it takes so long to bring people to trial.

 

[JackG]

"The trial is pausing for the rest of the day and will resume at 10:00 tomorrow."

Classic courtroom. Can't understand why it takes so long to bring people to trial.

I wonder if they're about to change their plea.

 

[UgoAfro]

"A video of the felling was filmed on Mr Graham's phone"

The master criminal always makes one fatal mistake.