Woolwich Murder: Adebolajo & Adebowale sentenced to life in prison.

Lee Rigby's killers were condemned to life in prison behind bars today despite being absent for the sentencing following a brawl with guards.

Michael Adebolajo, 29, and Michael Adebowale, 22, were dragged back down to the cells of the Old Bailey after a violent outburst broke out in the dock.

Both men shouted at Mr Justice Sweeney in protest at his remarks and were pinned to the ground by several security guards.

The screamed "Allah Akbar", which means 'God is great', as they were hauled from the court.

Adebolajo may die behind bars after receiving a whole-life tariff for the brutal murder.

This follows a key ruling at the Court of Appeal which backed the legality of whole life terms where prisoners can expect to die in jail.

His accomplice Adebowale was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 45 years.

Fusilier Rigby's family sobbed as the killers shouted across the historic courtroom, with Adebolajo shouting Allahu Akbhar, and Adebowale calling out "that's a lie" and "it's not a betrayal of Islam" as the judge told them they had been radicalised.

The judge said the pair's behaviour was "sickening and pitiless", and that Adebolajo had no hope of rehabilitation.

"Your sickening and pitiless conduct was in stark contrast to the compassion and bravery shown by the various women at the scene who tended to Lee Rigby's body and challenged what you had done and said."

The struggle in the dock was triggered when the killers, both wearing Islamic robes, reacted angrily to comments that Mr Justice Sweeney made about their extremist beliefs.

He told them: "You each converted to Islam some years ago. Thereafter you were radicalised and each became an extremist, espousing views which, as has been said elsewhere, are a betrayal of Islam."

Adebowale protested that this was a lie, ranting about America and Britain, and his accomplice joined in, screaming "allahu akbar" and hurling abuse at the prison guards who grappled him to the ground.

Both men were grabbed around the face as guards struggled to control them, and taken down to the cells.

The soldier's family were visibly distressed, and one relative needed medical treatment.

The British Muslim converts ran Fusilier Rigby down in a car before hacking him to death with a meat cleaver and knives in a frenzied attack.

The two men then dumped Lee's body in the middle of the road near Woolwich Barracks in south east London on May 22 last year.

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