Drummer Lee Rigby died after being attacked on his way back from work
Drummer Lee Rigby died after being attacked on his way back from work

An inquest into the death of Drummer Lee Rigby reveals his injuries were so severe he had to be identified by dental records.

Police at Southwark Coroner's Court said the soldier was killed after returning from a recruitment drive at the Tower of London.

Rigby, 25, was killed on the street in broad daylight several hundred metres from his base at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, southeast London.

The short opening hearing said that Rigby was murdered after two men drove on to the pavement where he was walking, then attacked him with knives and a cleaver, causing "extensive and serious injuries".

An earlier post-mortem revealed the 25-year-old had died as a result of "multiple incised wounds".

Det Chief Insp Grant Mallon of Scotland Yard's Counter-Terrorism Command told the inquest that after the two men attacked Rigby, they dragged his body into the road and told passersby to see what they had done.

Mallon said: "As he walked into Artillery Place, a vehicle was seen to swerve into the carriageway on which he was walking and strike him.

"The two occupants of the vehicle then exited the vehicle and attacked him with a cleaver and a knife."

Adjourning the inquest to a later date yet to be decided, deputy coroner Lorna Tagliavini added: "I would like to take this opportunity to give my personal condolences to all members of Lee Rigby's family for their very sad loss."

Rigby's family were not present for the hearing.

Michael Adebowale, 22, of Greenwich, has appeared before Westminster magistrates charged with Rigby's murder.

A second suspect, Michael Adebolajo, 28, remains under police guard in a London hospital and has not yet been questioned by detectives.

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