Family and friends of slain British soldier Lee Rigby, who was run down by a car on a busy London street last year before he was hacked to death, learned today that one of his killers will spend his life in prison and the other will not have a chance to seek parole until he's 67.


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A supporter of the English Defence Leaguestands stands by a replica hangman's noose and gallows during a protest outside a London courthouse. Protesters are calling for two men convicted of murdering British soldier Lee Rigby to be sentenced to death. (Toby Melville/Reuters)



"A large cheer came out of this crowd," CBC's Jeff Semple reported from London, describing the reaction to the sentences from outside the Old Bailey courthouse, where some 200 people were gathered.


Two British Muslim converts — Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale — were convicted last December for the murder of the 25-year-old serviceman.


The brutal daylight murder that horrified the nation and provoked an anti-Islamic backlash.


Adebolajo received the maximum sentence available, a whole-life term, which means he will never have a chance to seek release. Adebowale was sentenced to serving a minimum of 45 years before he is eligible for parole, meaning he will be 67 years old by that time.


More to come



With files from Reuters