Fusilier Lee Rigby killer sues over ‘assault’ by prison staff

One of the men who brutally killed Fusilier Lee Rigby is suing for compensation two years after his teeth were knocked out during an incident in the high security Belmarsh prison.

Michael Adebolajo was convicted last year alongside Michael Adebowale of murdering the 22-year-old soldier, who was run over and hacked to death near Woolwich Barracks, south-east London, in broad daylight in May 2013.

While he was being held at Belmarsh prison after the killing, Adebolajo had his two front teeth knocked out and claimed he had been assaulted by five prison officers.

The officers were suspended from work after the incident but were later told they had no case to answer, with the Prison Officers’ Association insisting that only approved restraint techniques had been used.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said it will “robustly” defend the compensation claim, which The Sun reported could be up to £20,000.

He said: “A police investigationtook 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 taxpayers and we robustly defend claims made against the Prison .”