Life terms for killers of soldier Lee Rigby
One of the Muslim fanatics who murdered soldier Lee Rigby has been sentenced to die behind bars and the other jailed for at least 45 years for the horrifying killing.
Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale were sentenced at the Old Bailey by Mr Justice Sweeney, who had waited for a key appeal court ruling on whole life terms before deciding the men’s fate.
Adebolajo, 29, was given a whole life term while Adebowale, 22, was jailed for life with a minimum of 45 years.
The British-born extremists mowed Fusilier Rigby down in a car before hacking him to death in the street in front of horrified onlookers near Woolwich Barracks in south east London in May last year.
They both claimed that they were “soldiers of Allah” and were motivated by the plight of Muslims abroad to carry out the killing, and have shown no remorse.
After sentencing began the two men shouted at Mr Justice Sweeney in protest at his remarks and were pinned to the ground by several security guards and taken back to the cells.
Lee Rigby's family said they are “satisfied that justice has been served”.
They said that Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale had received the “right prison terms”.
“The Rigby family welcomes the whole life and significant sentences that have been passed down on Lee’s killers.
“We feel that no other sentence would have been acceptable and we would like to thank the judge and the courts for handing down what we believe to be the right prison terms.
“We would also like to thank everyone who has supported us in the last nine months.
“It has brought us a lot of comfort and we feel satisfied that justice has been served for Lee. It just remains to be said: rest in peace Lee.
“We would now ask to be left to continue our grieving for him in private.”
