Lee Rigby murder: Accused man Michael Adebolajo ‘tried to justify Woolwich attack in a scrawled note’ handed to witness

Court sees horrifying details of Lee Rigby’s final moments on CCTV footage

Michael Adebolajo (left) and Michael Adebowale are accused of murdering Fusilier Rigby as he returned to barracks (PA)

One of the alleged killers of Fusilier Lee Rigby handed a letter explaining his attack to the woman who stroked the body of the fallen soldier in a final gesture of humanity, the court heard on Friday.

Michael Adebolajo’s letter, scribbled on two pieces of lined A4 paper, was addressed to “my beloved children” and railed against the country’s political leaders. It says that “carnage” in Britain is a result of “oppression in our towns”.

He handed the letter to Amanda Donnelly Martin, who was kneeling by the body of the dead soldier, before he charged at police and was shot and injured, the court heard.

The letter says fighting Allah’s enemies “is an obligation”. It goes on: “Do not spend your days in endless dispute with the cowardly and foolish if [that] will delay you meeting Allah’s enemies on the battlefield. Sometimes the cowardly and foolish could be those dearest to you, so be prepared to turn away from them.”

It adds: “If you find yourself curious as to why carnage is reaching your own towns, then know it is simply retaliation for your oppression in our towns.

“Many of your people are aristocrats that directly benefit from the invasion of our lands without material loss, whereas the average Joe Bloggs, working class man, loses his sons when they are killed by our brothers.

“When the heat of battle reaches your [underlined] local street it’s unlikely that any of your so-called politicians will be at risk or caught in the crossfire, so I suggest you remove them. Muslims will trade with you on fair terms but understand that the days of your international armed robbery is drawing to a close.”

Mr Whittam told the court that Mr Adebolajo made a number of comments after he was shot by police and was detained. “I am a Muslim extremist, this may be the only chance you meet one,” he told officers, the court heard.

Mr Adebolajo – a British citizen born in Lewisham – also said that “your people” had gone to Afghanistan where they had “raped and killed our women”.

“I am seeking retribution, I wouldn’t stoop so low as to rape and kill women,” he told them, the court heard. “I thank the person who shot me, because it is what Allah would have wanted. I love Allah more than my children.”