Crime Solicitors

The trial of two British men accused of murdering Drummer Lee Rigby outside Woolwich Barracks in southeast London is to start today (18/11/13) at the Old Bailey central criminal court in London.

The two men – Michael Adebolajo aged 28 and Michael Adebowale aged 22 – are of Nigerian descent and are both Muslim converts.

They are charged with the murder of Lee Rigby on 22 May this year – as well as the attempted murder of two police officers. Adebolajo is also charged with possession of a firearm. He has said he wishes to be known as Mujaahid Abu Hamza in court. Michael Adebowale is listed as Ismail Ibn Abdullah in court papers.

The trial is expected to last for three weeks amid tight security. A jury will be chosen before evidence can commence on Tuesday.

Journalists in court will face reporting restrictions while evidence is being heard in court. Any breach of reporting restrictions could result in a charge of contempt of court.

Lee Rigby was a drummer in the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Following his brutal death, tensions ran high across the UK. A campaign group opposing the “Islamification of the UK” is reported to be staging a protest outside the Old Bailey on Monday.

Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale both deny murdering Lee Rigby.