‘Relief’ as Lee Rigby killers lose bid for appeal

CHOKING back tears, the wife of murdered soldier Lee Rigby spoke of her relief after she watched her husband’s killer’s appeals rejected today.
Rebecca Rigby arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice in London
Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA WireRebecca Rigby arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice in London
Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
Rebecca Rigby arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice in London Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Rebecca Rigby, who was married to Fusilier Rigby in Southowram, near Halifax, in 2007, said “justice had been done” after Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, sitting Lady Justice Hallett and Mr Justice Openshaw threw out an application for permission to appeal by Michael Adebolajo.

They also rejected Adebolajo’s attempt to appeal against his whole-life sentence, which condemns him to die behind bars.

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A sentence challenge by Michael Adebowale, also convicted of the “horrific and barbaric” murder in May last year, was also rejected.

Fusilier Lee Rigby.Fusilier Lee Rigby.
Fusilier Lee Rigby.

Lord Thomas said their sentences were “just” punishment and the pair had “gloried” in what they had done.

Members of Fusilier Rigby’s family gasped with relief and there were tears in court as the decision was announced.

After the decision, Fusilier Rigby’s fiancee Aimee West said: “I hope that 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.”

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