Duo sentenced for Shotton Colliery Christmas tree felling

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This is the moment two men cut down a Christmas tree and World War One memorial in a County Durham village.

The 22ft tree, in Shotton Colliery, was felled just hours after a ceremony to turn on the Christmas lights on December 10 last year.

The tree had been planted ten years ago following a fundraising effort in the village and stood as a monument to local soldiers who died in World War One.

Dylan McNamara used a bow saw to cut the tree down while his friend, Dominic Radcliffe, acted as a lookout.

Police were alerted to the incident, which happened at around 10.50pm, and an investigation launched, leading to the pair’s arrest. 

During a search of McNamara’s partner’s house in Shotton, officers found a bow saw hidden behind the fridge freezer in the kitchen. 

He and Radcliffe were both charged with criminal damage, which they admitted.

Appearing at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Monday (July 20), 28-year-old Radcliffe was given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for a year.

He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

At a court hearing last month, McNamara, 26, was given a ten-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

PC David Allan and PCSO Katie McKee, from Peterlee Neighbourhood Police Team, led the investigation.

They said: “The tree was not only a festive decoration, but a longstanding symbol in the village of remembrance, unity, and respect for those who served.

“The felling of the tree caused significant hurt, upset, and disappointment among residents.

“For more than ten years, the tree had been a focal point during the Christmas period, bringing the community together – its destruction had a notable emotional impact on residents.

“Residents described feeling disrespected as this act has disrupted a cherished and meaningful space in the village, and had damaged the sense of safety and respect expected around a site of such importance.

“McNamara and Radcliffe showed absolutely no consideration for these residents when they committed this utterly mindless act of vandalism.

“We hope this case shows that behaviour like this will not be tolerated within our communities, and that action will be taken against those who commit such offences.”