GUILTY: Muslims who hacked British soldier to death found guilty by jurors in just 90 minutes
The distraught family of Lee Rigby have today paid a tearful tribute to the ‘brave’ soldier after two British Muslim fanatics were found guilty of his murder.
Fusilier Rigby, 25, was ‘mutilated, almost decapitated and murdered’ by Michael Adebowale, 22, and Michael Adebolajo, 28, who ambushed him outside his military barracks in Woolwich, South East London on May 22.
During their trial Lee Rigby’s bereft family were forced to watch footage and hear gruesome accounts of the soldier being run down at 40mph and hacked to death in the street.
The jury, who will be offered counselling, took just 90 minutes to find the killer guilty of the Fusilier’s murder, but not guilty of the attempted murder of police.
Adebolajo had admitted they killed the father-of-one but claimed they were not murderers because they are ‘soldiers of Allah’ at ‘war’ with Britain over its foreign policy.
Today he kissed the Qu’ran and smiled as he was found guilty but Adebowale failed to react. They will both be sentenced next month.
Fusilier Rigby’s family broke down in tears as the verdicts were given and Aimee West, his fiancée, stood alongside his estranged wife Rebecca Rigby and sobbed outside the Old Bailey as a tribute to him was read.
Through Detective Inspector Pete Sparks, his loved ones said: ‘No one should have to go through what we have been through as a family.
‘We are satisfied that justice has been done, but unfortunately no amount of justice will bring Lee back.
‘These people have taken him away from us forever but his memory lives on in all of us and we will never forget him.
‘We are very proud of Lee, who served his country, and we will now focus on building a future for his son Jack, making him as proud of Lee as we all are.
‘Lee will be sorely missed by his siblings, nieces, nephew and all of those who loved him.
‘We now ask that we are left alone to grieve through our loss.’
