Sycamore Gap: Lumberjack returns to farmhouse after being quizzed by police – as cops find giant chainsaw in barn
A FORMER lumberjack has returned to his farmhouse after being quizzed by police as cops found a giant chainsaw in a barn.
Walter Renwick was arrested by cops on Friday after the world famous Sycamore Gap tree was chopped down.
But he returned to Plankey Mill farm in Northumberland yesterday after being released on bail.
The 69-year-old spoke to cops as they continued to stand guard at the property.
He later told The Sun: “I know I’m f***ing innocent right – and that’s all I need to know.”
Police ended their two-day search at Renwick’s isolated farmhouse close to the scene of the crime that shocked the nation.
And a chainsaw – recovered from an outbuilding at the former campsite – was added to dozens more evidence bags.
Hours earlier, he told The Sun: “You’ve got the wrong feller.”
The pensioner added: “I’m a former lumberjack and I’ve just been kicked off my property so I can see why people have pointed the finger.
“My brother came down to make sure I hadn’t been arrested as he had heard a rumour that I had cut it down. I didn’t do it.”
A 16-year-old suspect has also been bailed.
A National Trust spokesperson said: “We are focused on making the site safe, and helping staff and the community come to terms with the news.
“We will be working with Northumberland National Park, other partners and the local community to consider plans for the site and the tree in the future.”