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Lee Rigby trial: Killing 'cowardly and callous', court hears Lee Rigby trial: Killing 'cowardly and callous', court hears
(35 minutes later)
The killing of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich, south-east London, was a "cowardly and callous murder", the Old Bailey has heard.The killing of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich, south-east London, was a "cowardly and callous murder", the Old Bailey has heard.
It was told that Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, drove at Fusilier Rigby before attempting to decapitate him on the street close to his barracks on 22 May.It was told that Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, drove at Fusilier Rigby before attempting to decapitate him on the street close to his barracks on 22 May.
Both are also accused of attempting to murder a police officer and conspiracy to murder a police officer.Both are also accused of attempting to murder a police officer and conspiracy to murder a police officer.
They both deny all charges.They both deny all charges.
Mr Adebolajo, from Romford, east London, has asked to be known as Mujaahid Abu Hamza in court, and Mr Adebowale, from Greenwich, south-east London, wants to be known as Ismail Ibn Abdullah.
The two defendants are in a glass-lined dock in the Old Bailey courtroom with paper on one side.The two defendants are in a glass-lined dock in the Old Bailey courtroom with paper on one side.
'Barbarous acts'
Members of Fusilier Rigby's family are in attendance.Members of Fusilier Rigby's family are in attendance.
Prosecutor Richard Whittam QC told jurors that the two suspects drove a Vauxhall Tigra "straight at" Fusilier Rigby at around 30-40mph.Prosecutor Richard Whittam QC told jurors that the two suspects drove a Vauxhall Tigra "straight at" Fusilier Rigby at around 30-40mph.
He said: "Both men then dragged his body into the middle of the road. They wanted members of the public to see the consequence of what can only be described as their barbarous acts.He said: "Both men then dragged his body into the middle of the road. They wanted members of the public to see the consequence of what can only be described as their barbarous acts.
"They had committed, you may think, a cowardly and callous murder by deliberately attacking an unarmed man in plain clothes from behind, using a vehicle as a weapon, and then they murdered him and mutilated his body with that meat cleaver and knives.""They had committed, you may think, a cowardly and callous murder by deliberately attacking an unarmed man in plain clothes from behind, using a vehicle as a weapon, and then they murdered him and mutilated his body with that meat cleaver and knives."
Adebolajo tried to decapitate the soldier with a meat cleaver with "multiple blows to his neck", while Adebowale stabbed and cut him, the jury heard. Mr Adebolajo tried to decapitate the soldier with a meat cleaver with "multiple blows to his neck", while Mr Adebowale stabbed and cut him, the jury heard.
Mr Whittam said it appeared that Mr Adebolajo "made a serious and almost successful attempt to decapitate" Fusilier Rigby.
At the same time, he said, Mr Adebowale "was using a knife to stab and cut at the soldier's body".
Mr Adebolajo, from Romford, east London, has asked to be known as Mujaahid Abu Hamza in court, and Mr Adebowale, from Greenwich, south-east London, wants to be known as Ismail Ibn Abdullah.
'Schoolchildren turned back'
The court heard that the men were also armed with a gun, one use of which was to frighten off members of the public before the emergency services arrived.
As the police drove into Artillery Place, where the incident had taken place, Mr Adebolajo raised the meat cleaver above his head and moved towards the vehicle.
Mr Whittam said that meanwhile, Mr Adebowale ran along the side of a wall and aimed the gun at the officers.
Both men were then shot by the police and arrested, the jury heard.
Both men have admitted possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Mr Whittam said the public showed "bravery and decency" in the aftermath.
He said the events took place close to a primary school and children returning from a library visit were turned back by members of the public to avoid the "awful" scene.
Young and old people did witness the event, the prosecutor said, including a heavily pregnant woman who "took refuge on a bus" once she heard gunshots.
The case continues.