One of Lee Rigby’s killers will die behind bars after being sentenced to life imprisonment at the Old Bailey today.
Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale butchered 25-year-old Lee Rigby in broad daylight close to Woolwich Barracks last May.
Adebolajo,the 29-year-old man who ranted with bloodied hands on camera, has been handed a whole life tarriff for the murder of Lee Rigby with no prospect of parole.
Adebowale, 22, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 45 years.
Members of Lee Rigby family sobbed as the verdict was delivered, with the family releasing a statment outside of the courtroom to share their thoughts.
It read: “We feel that no other sentence would have been acceptable, we thank the courts and the judge for handing the right prison term.
“We feel satisfied that justice has been served for Lee.”
Ahead of sentencing both defendents shouted directly at the judge and started fighting with the guards, they were pinned to the ground and dragged down to the cells.
Adebolajo shouted: “Allahu akbar!” (Allah is great) in the direction of the judge while Adebowale added: “You (Britain) and American will never be safe.”
The Rigby family was visibly distressed by what they saw – Mr Justice Sweeney spoke to the family and asked if they were content he would continue with the sentencing hearing.
The widow of the Middleton drummer Rebecca Rigby gave an impact statement which was read out in court ahead of sentencing.
She said: “I was suddenly living in the public gaze. I couldn’t go anywhere or do anything. I felt like I didn’t want to go on.
“I saw people nudging and looking at me if I walked down the street […] I know my son will grow up and see images of his dad that no son would have to endure and there’s nothing I can do to change this.”
They were convicted of his murder after a trial at the Old Bailey in central London, which heard that the soldier was almost beheaded by the men who had driven a car into him before dragging him into the road and attacking him with knives.
One witness described the act as like a ‘butcher attacking a joint of meat’.
Lee Rigby’s family arrived at court wearing matching black t-shirts featuring a picture of the fusilier with the message ‘Justice For Lee Rigby’ emblazoned across it.
BNP protestors erected a hangman’s gallow while the pair were awaiting sentencing to demand that they were given the death sentence.
