Lee Rigby murder: Adebolajo and Adebowale jailed
Michael Adebolajo has been given a whole-life term and Michael Adebowale has been jailed for a minimum of 45 years for murdering Fusilier Lee Rigby. Adebolajo, 29, and Adebowale, 22, drove into Fusilier Rigby with a car before hacking him to death in Woolwich, south-east London, in May last year. The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, said Adebolajo’s was one of those “rare cases” warranting a whole-life term. The pair were absent during sentencing after a fracas in the dock. As Mr Justice Sweeney began to sentence the men they started shouting and scuffling with court security guards. They had to be forced to the ground and were removed from court. Fusilier Rigby’s family sobbed as Adebolajo shouted “Allahu Akbar”, and Adebowale called out “that’s a lie” as the judge told them their extremist views were “a betrayal of Islam”. One relative needed medical treatment after the outbursts. The judge later apologised for the fact that the family had to witness what happened in the dock. Fusilier Lee Rigby was wearing a Help for Heroes hooded top when he was murdered. Sentencing the killers in their absence, the judge said they had been convicted on “overwhelming” evidence of the “barbaric” murder of Fusilier Rigby. Adebolajo was the leader of the “joint enterprise”, the judge said, but Adebowale played his part “enthusiastically”. Mr Justice Sweeney said the pair carried out the murder “in a way that would generate maximum media coverage”. “He had done absolutely nothing to deserve what you did to him”, the judge said. The pair created “a bloodbath”, he went on, adding: “You both gloried in what you had done. “Your sickening and pitiful conduct was in stark contrast to the women at the scene who tended to Lee Rigby’s body and challenged what you had done.” DI Pete Sparks, on behalf of Lee Rigby’s family: “We feel that no other sentence would have been acceptable”
Speaking outside court, Det Insp Pete Sparks, police liaison officer for Fusilier Rigby’s family, read a short statement on behalf of the family saying “no other sentence would have been acceptable”. “We feel satisfied that justice has been served for Lee”, the statement said.
Speaking outside court, Det Insp Pete Sparks, police liaison officer for Fusilier Rigby’s family, read a short statement on behalf of the family saying “no other sentence would have been acceptable”. “We feel satisfied that justice has been served for Lee”, the statement said.
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