Carruthers provided a motive for cutting down the tree, stating it resulted from drunken stupidity and expressing regret. Gurney portrayed him as a good father and hard worker, claiming the act was out of character. Carruthers and Graham, who were previously friends, now blame each other for the incident. Graham asserted that Carruthers had a fascination with the tree while Carruthers refuted this, expressing confusion over the public's reaction and stating he did not understand why there was such interest in the event.
Gurney stated Carruthers had made admissions in his Pre-Sentence Report, wishing to cleanse his conscience for his actions, attributing the tree felling to drunken stupidity.
Gurney described Carruthers as a good father and hard-worker, noting that the act of criminal damage was alien to his character.
Carruthers and Graham, once close, have since blamed each other after their arrests. Graham alleged Carruthers had a fascination with the sycamore.
Carruthers denied any obsession with the sycamore, expressing confusion over the public outcry, stating he saw it as just a tree.
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