Man 'ashamed' for chopping down Christmas tree
Durham PoliceA man has admitted cutting down a village Christmas tree which had stood for 10 years.
About 100 people watched as the Christmas lights were switched on at Shotton Colliery's tree on 10 December, but hours later it was cut down.
Dylan McNamara pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court.
The 26-year-old was given unconditional bail and will be sentenced on 16 June.
The court heard the tree was planted in memory of locals who had served in World War One and the community had fundraised to buy it.
Amrit Jandoo, defending, said McNamara was "deeply ashamed of a moment of stupidity which had become a moment of public hurt".
He added McNamara had "no hostility to the memorial" and had not thought about what the tree symbolised.
CCTV footage was said to show the tree falling in a couple of minutes.
Jandoo said McNamara was "a law-abiding man" who had caused "public anger".
Deputy district judge Richard Jepson said this was "an extremely serious matter" and "custody must be a starting point".
