Soldier had to be identified by dental expert

The British soldier killed by suspected Islamic extremists in London last week was run over before being attacked by two men armed with a cleaver and a knife, and had to be identified by a dental expert, an inquest heard.

The inquest into the brutal murder of Lee Rigby in Woolwich, south-east London on May 22, was opened and adjourned shortly before the Queen paid a visit to the barracks where he had lived and near where he died.

The royal engagement was planned long before the attack, but the 87-year-old monarch intended to mark Mr Rigby’s death privately by meeting with some of the officers and soldiers who worked with him, a spokes- woman for Buckingham Palace said.

In another development, police announced the arrest of their eleventh suspect over the attack, which is being investigated by Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism branch.

A 42-year-old man was arrested in north London on suspicion of being involved in the supply of illegal firearms.

Michael Adebowale, aged 22, has been charged with murder, while the other main suspect, 28-year-old Michael Adebolajo, remains under arrest in hospital. Both men were shot by police at the scene.

In a brief hearing, the coroner’s court heard that Mr Rigby, an army recruiting officer, was killed as he returned home after a day working at the Tower of London, his regimental headquarters.

The 25-year-old had to be identified by a dental expert, the inquest heard.

An autopsy had already found that Mr Rigby died from multiple cut and stab wounds.