World Bulletin / News Desk

The trial of two men accused of murdering Lee Rigby has started on Friday in London amidst heavy security.

Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, are accused of killing Fusilier Lee Rigby in London in May this year. The pair are also accused of attempted murder of police officers arrived at the scene. Both men deny the charges.

Prosecuting, Richard Whittam QC told the jury, that the men had carried out a “barbarous act” on an unarmed civilian and they had used a car as a weapon to run over Lee Rigby in London.”

Lee Rigby was unconscious after he was run down. The men, armed with a meat cleaver and knives then proceeded to attempt to decapitate the Fusiiler.

Richard Whittam QC said that the accused men, “committed a cowardly and callous murder by deliberately attacking an unarmed man in civilian clothes from behind using a vehicle as a weapon and then they murdered him and mutilated his body with a meat cleaver and knives.”

Mr. Whittam told the jury that Lee Rigby was, “repeatedly stabbed and Michael Adebolajo made a serious and almost successful attempt to decapitate him with multiple blows to his neck made with the meat cleaver.”

The two men then dragged the dead body into the road said Mr. Whittam.

At the time of his murder Lee Rigby was returning to his barracks after a shift at the Tower of London. The trial continues.