Evil ones of Islam turned my son says Rigby bomber’s mum

The mother of a Muslim extremist who butchered soldier Lee Rigby blamed the “evil ones” of Islam for drawing him in to a world of fanaticism.
Michael Adebowale (left) and Michael AdebolajoMichael Adebowale (left) and Michael Adebolajo
Michael Adebowale (left) and Michael Adebolajo

Juliet Adebowale also spoke of her sorrow for the fusilier’s family, saying: “We’ve both lost a son.”

Michael Adebowale, 22, and Michael Adebolajo, 29, were found guilty at the Old Bailey yesterday of murdering the young soldier near Woolwich Barracks on May 22.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The pair were told they face life behind bars and will be sentenced in the new year.

Ms Adebowale, 52, a former probation officer, told The Sun that her son adopted extreme Muslim views only seven weeks before the killing when he met Adebolajo during a march.

She said her son - raised as a Christian - had been a shy boy who was bullied at school, and became a Muslim at 17 to protect himself from local gangs after he witnessed a friend being murdered.

But he was drawn in to extremism, and his mother was so concerned she befriended the mosque he attended to speak with its Imam.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ms Adebowale told the newspaper: “They said not to worry, it would be OK. Then I had the shock of my life in May when that harrowing act took place with that older man. It was so out of character, he was very vulnerable. When people are vulnerable the evil ones will lure them.

“He had known Adebolajo since they went on a march at the end of March. I still can’t comprehend what happened, what got into his head. The extremism is tearing us apart.

“That poor, poor family have lost a son - but so have I.”

Ms Adebowale told how her son had fallen under the spell of the older Adebolajo, and has been on suicide watch since having psychotic episodes in which he saw “Christian angels” trying to lure him back from Islam.

Speaking about the first time she visited him in custody, Ms Adebowale said her son cried as she held his hand and told her he wanted to die.

Related topics: