Lee Rigby murderer Michael Adebolajo sues over front teeth lost in prison

Similar compensation claims have 'exceeded £20,000'

Adebolajo (pictured) is reportedly converting other inmates to extremism (MICHAEL RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

One of the men who murdered Fusilier Lee Rigby is suing for compensation after losing two front teeth while being restrained by prison officers.

Michael Adebolajo, 32, claims he was assaulted by five prison officers at the high-security Belmarsh prison two years ago, knocking out his teeth.

The officers were suspended after the incident but were later told they had no case to answer for and cleared of blame.

The Prison Officer’s Association has insisted only approved restraint techniques were used by officers.

Drummer Lee Rigby of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, PA (PA)

Adebolajo was convicted last year, alongside Michael Adebowale, of murdering 25-year-old Fusilier Rigby by running him over and butchering him on the streets of Woolwich in broad daylight in May 2013.

The Ministry of Justice has said it will “robustly defend” the compensation claims.

According to The Sun, the size of Adebolajo’s claim against the Prison Service is not known, however similar cases have exceeded £20,000.

An MoJ spokesman said: "A police investigation into this incident took place and no charges were brought against members of staff.

“The public will be rightly outraged at the thought of this man receiving compensation from the taxpayer and we robustly defend claims made against the Prison Service."

The MoJ said it had successfully defended two thirds of prisoner claims over the last three years.

Adebowale and Adebolajo, both British-born Muslim converts, ran Fusilier Rigby down in a car before hacking him to death with a meat cleaver and knives.

They encouraged witnesses to film the brutality, with Adebolajo giving a rambling speech while covered in blood saying it was revenge for British involvement in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Adebolajo was condemned to die in prison with a whole-life jail term for the murder, while Adebowale was sentenced to life with a minimum of 45 years.

Additional reporting by Press Association