TWO Muslim fanatics who hacked to death young soldier Lee Rigby were handed life sentences for the “barbaric” murder today.
Michael Adebolajo, 29, will die in jail after being given a whole life sentence, while Michael Adebowale, 22, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 45 years.
In dramatic scenes, the pair erupted in a violent outburst in the dock after the judge told them their actions were a “betrayal” of Islam.
Mr Justice Sweeney said: “You each converted to Islam some years ago. Thereafter you were radicalised and each became an extremist, espousing views which, as has been said elsewhere, are a betrayal of Islam.”
Adebolajo began shouting “Allahu Akbhar”, while Adebowale shouted: “That’s a lie”, and: “It’s not a betrayal of Islam”.
Referring to Britain, Adebowale screamed: “You and America will never be safe”.
The pair, who wore Islamic robes in the court, were pinned to the floor by guards before being dragged from the dock.
The family appeared visibly distressed as the killers could be heard continuing to shout and bang in the cells while the judge continued to sentence them in their absence.
He said: “What the two of you did resulted in a bloodbath.
“Your sickening and pitiless conduct was in stark contrast to the compassion and bravery shown by the various women at the scene who tended to Lee Rigby’s body and challenged what you had done and said.”
He said that the pair had shown “no regret” for the “barbaric” murder, which he said was connected to terrorism.
Passing a whole life tariff for Adebolajo, the judge said there was no mitigation for his actions, and “no hope” of rehabilitation.
In a statement read by family liaison officer Detective Inspector Pete Sparks, the Rigby family said: “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. We now ask to continue to grieve in private.”
Three people were arrested outside the court amid tense scenes as the EDL mounted a protest against the killers.
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