Two arrested after Shotton Colliery Christmas tree cut down

The tree, which had stood in Shotton Colliery for more than 10 years, was a memorial for First World War soldiers, and was felled at about 11.20pm on Wednesday.

It is understood a 26-year-old man appeared at Newton Aycliffe magistrates court on Saturday morning charged with criminal damage. The man pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.

A second man, aged 23, was released under investigation after arrest.

Pictures taken on Friday showed CSI officers taking pictures of the tree in Shotton, with the trunk’s inside visible as the specialist police team bagged evidence at the scene.

Shotton Residents’ Association chairman, Steve Maitland, told BBC Radio Tees that the act was “mindless vandalism”.

He said: “These people who did this – I don’t think they understand the history and the feeling of these things.”

Mr Maitland also revealed people who helped raise funds for the tree had passed away, underscoring the gravity of the ‘attack’.

Members of the public were making a sleeve for the tree’s base, so they could bolt back up as quickly as possible, “just to tide us over for Christmas”.

PC David Allan, from the Peterlee Neighbourhood Police Team, called the incident a “disgusting act of mindless vandalism”.