London court hears details of Woolwich soldier’s murder‏

Graphic details of soldier Lee Rigby’s murder in May by two men in Woolwich were revealed yesterday at the Old Bailey.

CCTV footage of Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, shows them swerving their car and driving directly at Fusilier Rigby as he crossed the road.

The jury were shown images of the defendants emerging from the car and dragging Mr Rigby’s body to the middle of the road.

Adebolajo “made a serious and almost successful attempt to decapitate” Fusilier Rigby with a meat cleaver, prosecutor Richard Whittam QC told the court.

“They wanted members of the public to see the consequence of their barbarous acts,” Whittam said.

An eyewitness, Gary Perkins described the attack as being “like a butcher attacking a piece of meat”.

The jury were shown mobile phone footage of Adebolajo justifying his attack. He said: “Muslims are dying daily by British soldiers.”

Both men were shot by police.

Adebolajo, whilst being treated by paramedics, said: “Your government is all wrong. I did it for my God. I wish the bullets had killed me so I can join my friends and family,” Mr Whittam told the court.

He also said: “Your people have gone to Afghanistan and raped and killed our women, I am seeking retribution, I wouldn’t stoop so low as to rape and kill women.”

Adebolajo and Adebowale both deny murder.

                                                Vanessa Smart