This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26941996
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Lee Rigby killer Michael Adebolajo launches appeal | Lee Rigby killer Michael Adebolajo launches appeal |
(35 minutes later) | |
Michael Adebolajo, who was given a whole-life sentence for the murder of soldier Lee Rigby has launched an appeal against his sentence. | Michael Adebolajo, who was given a whole-life sentence for the murder of soldier Lee Rigby has launched an appeal against his sentence. |
Adebolajo, 29, together with Michael Adebowale, 22, drove into Fusilier Rigby with a car before hacking him to death in Woolwich, south-east London. | Adebolajo, 29, together with Michael Adebowale, 22, drove into Fusilier Rigby with a car before hacking him to death in Woolwich, south-east London. |
At the time judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, said Adebolajo's was a "rare case" which warranted a whole-life term. | At the time judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, said Adebolajo's was a "rare case" which warranted a whole-life term. |
The Muslim converts had "butchered" the 25-year-old soldier, he said. | The Muslim converts had "butchered" the 25-year-old soldier, he said. |
In court Adebolajo from Romford, east London denied murder, and described the killing as a "military operation", claiming that he was a "soldier of Allah". | |
But after hearing about the attack on 22 May last year, the jury took 90 minutes to find them both guilty. | |
Adebowale from Greenwich, south-east London, received a minimum of 45 years in prison. | |
'Maximum media coverage' | |
But both men were found not guilty of attempting to murder a police officer at the scene. | |
Adebolajo - who has two children and four stepchildren - said he and Adebowale decided to lie in wait near Woolwich barracks, and targeted Fusilier Rigby because he was wearing a Help for Heroes hooded top and carrying a camouflage rucksack. | |
As a police vehicle approached, the men then rushed towards it, waving the meat cleaver and a firearm. | |
They were both shot, but were cleared of attempting to kill police by claiming they had wanted armed officers to shoot them dead so they could "achieve martyrdom". | |
An investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) later concluded the police officers who shot the men "acted appropriately to the immediate threat". | |
Mr Justice Sweeney said the pair carried out the murder "in a way that would generate maximum media coverage", and that Adebolajo had "no real prospect of rehabilitation". | |
He added: "He [Lee Rigby] had done absolutely nothing to deserve what you did to him." |