Islamic fanatics lose Rigby murder appeal
Date published: 04 December 2014
THE two Islamic fanatics found guilty of the murder of soldier Lee Rigby have had appeals rejected.
Michael Adebolajo’s application for permission to appeal against his conviction was thrown out by Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas and two other judges in London. They also rejected Adebolajo’s attempt to appeal against his whole-life sentence, which condemns him to die behind bars.
Lord Thomas, sitting with Lady Justice Hallett and Mr Justice Openshaw, also dismissed a sentence challenge by co-accused Michael Adebowale, who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 45 years. The British-born Muslim converts ran 25-year-old Fusilier Rigby down in a car before hacking him to death with a meat cleaver and knives in a frenzied attack in south London.
Lord Thomas said their sentences were just punishment for the “horrific and barbaric” murder.
The pair had “gloried” in what they had done, he said.
After the decision, Fusilier Rigby’s fiancee Aimee West said: “I hope this is the last we will hear from them both, so that I can focus on rebuilding my life and keeping Lee’s memory alive.”
