Home / Crime and Justice / War Memorial Tree Felled: Man Gets Suspended Sentence
War Memorial Tree Felled: Man Gets Suspended Sentence
16 Jun
Summary
- A man received a suspended prison sentence for cutting down a village Christmas tree.
- The tree also served as a war memorial for soldiers who died in World War One.
- The vandalism occurred shortly after a Christmas lights ceremony last December.
In Shotton Colliery, County Durham, a man has received a suspended prison sentence for a "mindless act of vandalism" that saw a village Christmas tree, which also functioned as a war memorial, cut down. The 22ft festive spruce had been planted 10 years prior following a village fundraising effort and honored local soldiers who perished in World War One.
Dylan McNamara, 26, committed the act shortly after the Christmas lights ceremony last December. He admitted to criminal damage at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court and was given a 10-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, along with an order to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work. McNamara, who has not explained his motive, was also ordered to pay £520 in compensation from his benefits.
Police identified McNamara via CCTV footage, discovering a saw hidden at his residence. The felling, which occurred with another man also facing charges, caused "huge upset" in the community. Parish council members expressed deep disappointment, noting the tree's value, estimated in the thousands, and its significance to the village.
