Latest news with #CrownProsecutionServices
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Sycamore Gap vandals face their fate in English court for felling beloved tree
With one man holding a phone to record the tree's notorious fall and the other working a chainsaw, a pair of vandals forever altered the landscape of a beloved section of Hadrian's Wall in northern England. In less than three minutes, the beloved Sycamore Gap tree that had stood for nearly 150 years crashed to the ground. The fate of the men convicted of the senseless act now lies in the hands of a judge who will sentence them Tuesday in Newcastle Crown Court. Advertisement 5 The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, shining over the Sycamore Gap tree, on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, England, on July 3, 2016. AP Justice Christina Lambert warned Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers that they could face a 'lengthy period in custody,' following their convictions in May of two counts each of criminal damage. Each count carries a penalty of up to 10 years behind bars. Advertisement The illegal felling in Northumberland National Park on Sept. 28, 2023, caused instant outrage and news quickly spread beyond the ancient wall built by Emperor Hadrian in AD 122 to protect the northwest frontier of the Roman Empire. It wasn't Britain's biggest or oldest tree, but it was prized for its picturesque setting, symmetrically planted between two hills along the wall that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tree had long been known to locals but became famous after a cameo in Kevin Costner's 1991 film 'Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.' 5 The felled Sycamore Gap tree is seen on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, England, Sept. 29, 2023. AP Advertisement 5 Video grab from footage of the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree. Photo releaed April 30 2025. Crown Prosecution Services / SWNS It drew tourists, lovers, landscape photographers and even those who spread the ashes of loved ones. It was voted English 'Tree of the Year' in 2016. Graham, 39, and Carruthers, 32, once close friends who had a falling out since their arrests, denied taking part in the act, claiming they were each at their homes that night. But evidence shown to the jury implicated both men. Advertisement 5 Daniel Graham, one of the two men found guilty of cutting down Britain's 'Sycamore Gap' tree in September 2023. via REUTERS 5 Adam Carruthers, one of the two men found guilty of cutting down Britain's 'Sycamore Gap' tree in September 2023. via REUTERS Graham's Range Rover was near the tree around the time it fell. Grainy video of the felling was found on his phone — with metadata showing that it was shot at the location of the tree. As digital data showed Graham's vehicle on its way back to where the two lived about 40 minutes away, Carruthers got a text from his girlfriend with footage of their 12-day-old son. 'I've got a better video than that,' Carruthers replied. The jury didn't hear evidence of a motive for the crime, but prosecutor Richard Wright suggested in his closing argument that the two had been on a 'moronic mission' and cut down the tree as a joke. 'They woke up the morning after and … it must have dawned on them that they couldn't see anyone else smiling,' Wright said.
Daily Mirror
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Russell Brand arrives at court to enter plea for rape and sexual assault charges
Former comedian and actor Russell Brand has arrived at Southwark Crown Court as he enters his plea and trial preparation hearing for his rape and sexual assault charges Russell Brand has been spotted arriving at court today for his plea and trial preparation hearing. The former comedian and actor has appeared at Southwark Crown Court today. He was charged by post in April with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women, in alleged assaults said to date back 26 years. Earlier this month, Brand appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court to face charges of rape and sexual assault and was granted conditional bail. The clerk read out the charges in full but Brand was not asked to enter any pleas and his case was sent to the crown court for his appearance today. Detectives launched an investigation after he was accused by several women in September 2023. The Crown Prosecution Services authorised charging Brand, who lives in the US, in April. The incidents are alleged to have taken place between 1999 and 2005. Det Supt Andy Furphy, from the Met police, said at the time: "The women who have made reports continue to receive support from trained officers. The Met's investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward. "A team of investigators is available via email at CIT@ Support is also available by contacting the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line." Jaswant Narwal, of the CPS, said: "We have today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Russell Brand with a number of sexual offences. "We carefully reviewed the evidence after a police investigation into allegations made following the broadcast of a Channel 4 documentary in September 2023. "We have concluded that Russell Brand should be charged with offences including rape, sexual assault and indecent assault. These relate to reported non-recent offences between 1999 and 2005, involving four women." She added: "The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial. "It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings." Following the 2023 allegations, which were featured in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches, Brand vehemently denied any wrongdoing, insisting all his relationships had been consensual.
Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Russell Brand's courtroom sketch revealed as he faces sexual assault charges
Former comedian and actor Russell Brand was granted conditional bail at Westminster Magistrates' Court today as he appeared straight faced and kept his arms and legs crossed Russell Brand kept his arms crossed as he sat in court during his 12-minute hearing. The former comedian and actor appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today to face charges of rape and sexual assault and was granted conditional bail. A court sketch has shown Brand as the clerk read out the charges in full. He was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women, in alleged assaults said to date back 26 years. In the image, Brand sitting with his arms folded as he looked on. He wore a black shirt that was buttoned only to his midriff and a pair of black trousers. The comedian was dressed casually in court, wearing a distressed black denim shirt - which he left slightly unbuttoned - and a pair of black distressed jeans with a brown belt. Brand kept a straight expression as he also crossed his legs while sitting on a row of chairs. During the hearing, Brand also stood up in front of Chief Magistrate Goldspring. The clerk read out the charges in full but Brand was not asked to enter any pleas and his case was sent to the Old Bailey where he is due to appear on May 30. Brand walked slowly out of the court, staring straight ahead. Detectives launched an investigation after he was accused by several women in September 2023. The Crown Prosecution Services authorised charging Brand, who lives in the US, in April. Det Supt Andy Furphy, from the Met police, said at the time: "The women who have made reports continue to receive support from trained officers. The Met's investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward. "A team of investigators is available via email at CIT@ Support is also available by contacting the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line." Jaswant Narwal, of the CPS, said: "We have today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Russell Brand with a number of sexual offences." After the 2023 allegations, which followed a joint investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches, he vehemently denied any wrongdoing, insisting all his relationships have been consensual.
Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Russell Brand bailed after appearing in court accused of rape and sexual assault
The comedian has flown in from the US to face sex attack charges in relation to four alleged victims, including rape and 'indecently assaulting a woman by dragging her towards a male toilet' Russell Brand has been granted conditional bail at Westminster Magistrates' Court after appearing at a 12 minute hearing to face charges of rape and sexual assault. Standing behind reinforced glass in the dock, he spoke to confirm his name and address in Hambleden, Buckinghamshire, before appearing to forget his postcode. Holding his sunglasses behind his back, Brand, 49, confirmed the details after he was prompted by chief magistrate Paul Goldspring. Mr Goldspring said he must also provide, as part of his bail provisions, his address in the US where he also resides. The clerk read out the charges in full but Brand was not asked to enter any pleas and his case was sent to the Old Bailey where he is due to appear on May 30. Brand walked slowly out of the court staring straight ahead. He was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women, in alleged assaults said to date back 26 years. The TV personality is accused of indecently assaulting one woman in 2001 by allegedly 'grabbing her arm and dragging her towards a male toilet'. Brand is accused of raping another woman in 1999 and allegedly groped the breasts of a third woman and forced her to perform oral sex in 2004. A fourth alleged victim says the now 49-year-old sexually assaulted her by touching her "when she did not consent" in 2005. The incidents are said to have occurred in Bournemouth, Dorset, and the Westminster area of central London. Reacting to the charges in a video posted online, Brand said last month: "I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord. I was a drug addict and a sex addict and an imbecile, but what I never was, was a rapist. I have never engaged in non-consensual acts." He added: "I've never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes." Detectives launched an investigation after he was accused by several women in September 2023. The Crown Prosecution Services authorised charging Brand, who lives in the US, in April. Det Supt Andy Furphy, from the Met police, said at the time: "The women who have made reports continue to receive support from trained officers. The Met's investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward. "A team of investigators is available via email at CIT@ Support is also available by contacting the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line." Jaswant Narwal, of the CPS, said: "We have today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Russell Brand with a number of sexual offences." Brand, from Grays, Essex, was aged between 26 and 30 when the alleged offences occurred. During the early period covered by the charges he was a presenter for MTV, but was sacked after coming to work dressed as Osama bin Laden the day after the September 11 terror attacks in 2001 . In 2004, he began hosting Big Brother's Big Mouth, the E4 companion show to the Channel 4 reality series Big Brother. Channel 4 production company Banijay UK and the BBC are also investigating Brand's conduct. He presented a BBC Radio 2 show between 2006 and 2008. The father-of-three was married to US pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012 and has since remarried. After the 2023 allegations, which followed a joint investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches, he vehemently denied any wrongdoing, insisting all his relationships have been consensual. He moved to Florida from Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire last autumn, claiming he was being persecuted in the UK. He wrote in February: "I don't live in the United Kingdom anymore, because I personally have experienced how the media, government and judiciary - if you become an inconvenience - will find ways to attack and shut you down." In his video last month, he said: "I'm speaking particularly to those of you watching in the UK. How do you feel about your legal system?" He also made a reference to the Southport murders of last July, for which triple killer Axel Rudakubana was jailed for a minimum of 52 years.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Yahoo
Murder probe after man injured in attack dies
A murder investigation has been launched after a man died in hospital three days after he was attacked. The victim, in his 40s, suffered serious head injuries in the incident in Waterloo Street, Coventry, at about 04:00 GMT on Tuesday. He was taken to hospital but died there on Friday, West Midlands Police confirmed. A 24-year-old man appeared in court charged with wounding on Friday, prior to the man's death, and was remanded in custody. Police said they would now review the charges with the Crown Prosecution Services (CPS). Det Insp Phil Poole, of West Midlands Police, said officers were doing all they could to establish what happened and why. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Attempted murder arrest over street assault West Midlands Police
