Drummer Lee Rigby's Islamist killers erupted into violence in an Old Bailey courtroom as they were sentenced for murder yesterday. Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale had to be manhandled out of court by security guards after being told by the judge that their crime was a "betrayal of Islam". Adebolajo screamed at the judge as he was manhandled down the dock stairs but, in scenes lasting several minutes, his co-defendant was held to the floor and cuffed before being carried downstairs head first. Angered by the judges' comments about Islam, Adebowale stood up and shouted, "That's a lie. It's not a betrayal of Islam. You don't know what Islam is."
The struggle broke out as the murderer yelled: "I swear by Allah that America and Britain will never have any safety. Allahu akbar."
After the defendants had been removed the judge resumed his sentencing to give Adebolajo a "whole-life" tariff, meaning he will spend the rest of his life in jail. Adebowale was given life with a minimum term of 45 years.
Adebolajo, who wanted to be called Mujaahid Abu Hamza, was dressed in a black Islamic robe and refused to stand up in court. Lawyers for Adebowale, who was dressed in a black skull cap and black hooded top, referred to him by the name Ishmael Abdullah.
During their trial at the Old Bailey, Adebowale offered no evidence in his defense, but Adebolajo gave a rambling testimony during which he told the jury he loved al-Qaeda.
| Even the folks at the Independent see these guys as stone-cold murderers... |