Lee Rigby killer Michael Adebowale, 29, ‘is on oxygen in hospital after contracting coronavirus’

Lee Rigby killer Michael Adebowale, 29, ‘is on oxygen in hospital after contracting coronavirus’ while serving his sentence in Broadmoor

  • Michael Adebowale, 29, has reportedly been taken from high-security hospital
  • He is said to have caught coronavirus more than two weeks ago, says the Sun
  • He is now being treated at a Covid ward after condition ‘went rapidly downhill’
  • Adebowale jailed for minimum of 45 years for the murder of soldier Lee Rigby

The killer of soldier Lee Rigby is on oxygen in hospital after contracting coronavirus while serving his sentence at Broadmoor, according to reports.

Michael Adebowale, 29, has reportedly been taken from the high-security psychiatric hospital in Crowthorne, Berkshire, to a Covid ward after his condition went ‘rapidly downhill’.

It is the second time in recent days that the killer has been admitted to hospital with the virus, according to the Sun.

A source told the paper: ‘He’s in a very bad way and fighting for every breath.

‘It’s reached the stage where it’s a 24/7 battle. If he deteriorates much further, intensive care would be the next step.’ 

Michael Adebowale (pictured), the killer of soldier Lee Rigby, is on oxygen in hospital after contracting coronavirus while serving his sentence in Broadmoor, according to reports

The 29-year-old has reportedly been taken from the high-security psychiatric hospital (pictured) in Crowthorne, Berkshire, to a Covid ward after his condition went 'rapidly downhill'

The 29-year-old has reportedly been taken from the high-security psychiatric hospital (pictured) in Crowthorne, Berkshire, to a Covid ward after his condition went ‘rapidly downhill’

Adebowale, who is said to have tested positive for Covid two weeks ago, is not on a ventilator but is receiving oxygen treatment, the paper reports. 

The Sun also quoted the mother of Lee Rigby, Lyn, 53, who said it would ‘not be just for Covid to take this man (Adebowale) prematurely and end the sentence handed to him’. 

Adebowale and his accomplice Michael Adebolajo ran over 25-year-old fusilier Mr Rigby close to Woolwich barracks, London, in May 2013 before stabbing him to death in broad daylight. 

The father of one died as a result of multiple cut and stab wounds after the attack, fuelled by Adebowale and Adebolajo’s extremist beliefs – described as a ‘betrayal of Islam’ at their murder trial in 2014.

Adebowale and his accomplice Michael Adebolajo ran over 25-year-old fusilier Lee Rigby (pictured) close to Woolwich barracks in May 2013 before stabbing him to death in broad daylight

Adebowale and his accomplice Michael Adebolajo ran over 25-year-old fusilier Lee Rigby (pictured) close to Woolwich barracks in May 2013 before stabbing him to death in broad daylight

Adebowale, who was given a 45-year minimum term for the murder of Mr Rigby, has spent three periods in Broadmoor since his conviction. 

He is expected to spend the next ‘five or ten years’ in the hospital, where he will be treated treated for paranoid schizophrenia.

Adebolajo was given a whole life term for the killing. He is serving his sentence at HMP Woodhill, near Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

In October last year, Adebowale pleaded guilty to punching a healthcare assistant while being held in Broadmoor. The incident took place July 20 last year. 

After denying a more serious charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm, Adebowale admitted an alternative charge of assault causing actual bodily harm at Reading Crown Court in October.

Adebowale, who has changed his name by deed poll to Ismaail Kuti, was given a eight-month prison sentence by Mr Justice Jay.

This will be served after his 45-year minimum term for murder.