Crime Solicitors

The two murderers of soldier Lee Rigby have been sentenced following their guilty verdict, with Michael Adebolajo being given a whole life term. It is unlikely he will ever be free again.

His accomplice, Michael Adebowale was ordered to remain in prison for a minimum of 45 years. The sentencing process at the court was interrupted with the convicted pair shouting at the judge and making threats. Both were removed from the dock as a result and needed to be restrained by security guards.

This happened just a few feet away from Lee Rigby’s family. The judge continued with the sentencing in the absence of the pair. This was the first case of its kind where al-Qaida terrorists carried out a murder on British soil but did not kill themselves. The pair claimed that the killing was in revenge for the deaths of Muslims dying every day in conflicts.

One of the reasons the judge gave for giving a whole life sentence to Adebolajo is that there was a political and terrorist connection to the crime. Whole life sentences are not given often and are only used in extreme cases and circumstances. Murder itself carries a mandatory life sentence and it was the setting of the minimum term that reflected the seriousness of the offence.

For this particular case, the judge delayed sentencing until the Court of Appeal made a ruling on the issue of whole life terms. Clarification was required for those convicted of the most heinous of crimes. This ruling was issued early in February 2013 and allowed the judge to pass a whole life sentence in this case.

The judge stated that there seemed to be no hope that Michael Adebolajo could be rehabilitated and this is why the whole life sentence was considered necessary. For Michael Adebowale, a mental condition and his lesser role in the killing meant that he would escape a whole life sentence but he would still be spending decades in prison before he could be considered for release.

The family of Lee Rigby has welcomed these sentences and have confirmed that anything less would not have been acceptable to them. They stated that they consider that justice has been done for Lee and they feel he can now rest in peace.

It is thought that Michael Adebolajo will be attempting an appeal against his whole life sentence. He is apparently claiming that there were legal errors made by the judge during the trial and sentencing. It is widely considered that he is unlikely to succeed with any appeal.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Lawyers

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For assistance with a range of criminal law issues, contact Duncan Lewis on 020 7923 4020.