Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale tussled with guards as the judge described their act as a “betrayal of Islam” in sentencing both men to life imprisonment. Abebolajo was eventually told he would serve a whole life term and would never be released from prison, while co-accused Adebowale was handed life, with a minimum sentence of 45 years. The pair were sentenced in absentia after they were dragged from the dock to the court holding cells.
Following the expectedly severe sentences handed down to Adebolajo and Adebowale, Fusilier Rigby’s family said in a statement read outside the Old Bailey: “We feel satisfied that justice has been served for Lee”.
Sentencing had been delayed for a decision by a panel of judges on whether whole-life sentences were legal. They found that whole-life tariffs were justified “in the most heinous cases”.
Adebolajo, of Romford, Essex and Adebowale, from Greenwich, southeast London used a car to run Fusilier Rigby over before using knives and a meat cleaver to hack at his lifeless body. At trial, the jury heard father of one Rigby had been selected because he was “the first soldier they spotted”.
The pair then waited for several minutes at the scene remonstrating with onlookers, apparently ambivalent to the imminent arrival of the police. When armed officers arrived, the men displayed aggression in order that they would be killed by police marksmen and become Islamic martyrs.
Adebolajo’s barrister argued against a whole-life sentence, which was likely to make his client a martyr after all. He added that he believed his client was not so “depraved or wicked” that he was incapable of redemption.
Adebowale’s defence team said it was “inhumane” to sentence a 22-year-old to spend the rest of his life in prison.
Sue Hemming, head of special crime and counter terrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service, described the action of Adebolajo and Adebowale as “one of the most appalling terrorist murders” she has ever seen.
She added: “As a solider, Fusilier Lee Rigby was targeted in a clear act of revenge, deliberately carried out in full view of members of the public for maximum impact.
“Under the law, terrorism is committed by a defined act designed to influence a Government, the public or an NGO for the purpose of advancing a religious, political, ideological or racial cause.
“This attack was always going to fail in that purpose as it served only to bring people together in shock, sympathy and solidarity.”
Metropolitan Police asst comms Cressida Dick said: “Today’s sentence reflects the true horror of their actions in taking this young man’s life in such a barbaric way.
“Our thoughts remain with Lee’s loved ones, who have shown dignity and strength throughout the judicial process.”
