October 1st 2023.
Walter Renwick, a retired lumberjack, has been accused on social media of felling one of Britain's most famous trees. Over the weekend, three police vans and seven officers conducted a search at the Plankey Mill farm, eight miles from the tree in Northumberland, and Mr Renwick was taken into custody.
However, he denied the accusations, saying that he was not 'stupid enough' to cut down the 300-year-old landmark at Sycamore Gap along Hadrian's Wall. He was recently evicted from the farm, and during the case, he said, "I was born here. It is like a tree with roots." Relatives added that he was not in good enough health to commit the crime.
Mr Renwick spoke to the Mail, saying, "The speculation is bloody ridiculous. I'll tell you this much, I wouldn't be so sad to do that." He added, "It was a lovely tree, an iconic tree, but I mean to go up there and cut that down, I'm not that stupid."
The 70ft tree featured in the 1991 Kevin Costner movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and was attacked in the dark between Wednesday and Thursday last week. Police continued to investigate, with claims that the damage was done by a professional who knew where to cut on a windy night during a storm, which would have disguised the sound of a chainsaw.
Mr Renwick spoke to The Sun, saying "I didn't do it," although he did concede that "I am a former lumberjack and I have just been kicked off my property, so I can see why people have pointed the finger."
Northumbria Police had previously arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of causing criminal damage, and last night Mr Renwick's family confirmed that he had been in police custody.
Overall, Mr Renwick has been adamant that he has not committed the crime he has been accused of. He spoke out against the speculation, saying that he was not 'stupid enough' to chop down the iconic tree. Though he was taken into custody, he has since been released.
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