The murderers of soldier Lee Rigby yelled “Allahu Akbar” and were pinned to the ground by security officers in a violent struggle in the dock of the Old Bailey in London as they were sentenced today.

Michael Adebolajo (29) shouted “that’s a lie” as Mr Justice Sweeney told him and his co-defendant Michael Adebowale they had both been radicalised.

Michael Adebowale (22) then stood and shouted comments about America and Britain before several security guards were forced to restrain him.

Adebolajo then leapt from his seat, screaming “Allauh Akbar” as officers attempted to control him.

Fusilier Rigby’s family wept as his killers were wrestled to the ground and ultimately taken down to the cells.

Mr Justice Sweeney continued his sentencing with both men absent from the dock.

Adebolajo was then given a whole-life jail term for the murder. Adebowale was jailed for life with a minimum of 45 years.

The British-born extremists knocked Fusilier Rigby down in a car before hacking him to death in the street in front of horrified onlookers near Woolwich Barracks in south east London in May last year.

They both claimed that they were “soldiers of Allah” and were motivated by the plight of Muslims abroad to carry out the killing, and have shown no remorse.

The judge said the pair’s behaviour was “sickening and pitiless”, and that Adebolajo had no hope of rehabilitation.

“Your sickening and pitiless conduct was in stark contrast to the compassion and bravery shown by the various women at the scene who tended to Lee Rigby’s body and challenged what you had done and said.”

Fusilier Rigby’s family said they are “satisfied that justice has been served.”

In a statement read by family liaison officer Detective Inspector Pete Sparks, the soldier’s family said: “We would like to thank the judge and the courts for handing down what we believe to be the right prison terms.”

“We would also like to thank everyone who has supported us in the last nine months. It has brought us a lot of comfort and we feel satisfied that justice has been served for Lee. We now ask to continue to grieve in private.”

Three people were arrested outside the court as far-right protesters gathered ahead of the sentencing.

Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the court building, waving Union flags and chanting.

A City of London police spokesman said two men were arrested, one on suspicion of actual bodily harm and one for affray. A woman was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly.

The police spokesman said there was a “significant police presence” in the area. The street has been closed in both directions outside the court .