A man who vandalised a memorial for murdered soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich has been pictured for the first time following his sentencing. Said Aitabbou, 58, from Charlton, was jailed for four months last Thursday (September 12) at Bexley Magistrates’ Court for criminal damage.
On July 28, Aitabbou was seen ripping up flowers, smashing plant pots, and throwing poppy wreaths laid at the memorial, which is situated just metres from where the 25-year-old soldier was brutally murdered in 2013. The memorial is a tribute to Fusilier Lee Rigby, who was killed by extremists in an unprovoked attack outside the Woolwich Barracks.
Connor Tuxford, 31, a local warehouse operative, witnessed the aftermath of the vandalism and cleaned up the site. “He [Aitabbou] was sitting on the floor with his legs crossed, clearly waiting for attention. I saw him ripping up the flowers and smashing jars. I went and cleaned up the memorial afterwards because no one else did,” Tuxford said. He added that passersby clapped him as he restored the site.
Deputy District Judge Balmain, in sentencing Aitabbou, explained that prison time was necessary due to the seriousness of the offence, noting that Aitabbou was drunk, off his medication, and targeting a memorial.
Lee Rigby, who served in Afghanistan, was killed in May 2013 when Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale mowed him down in a car before attacking him with knives and a meat cleaver. Adebolajo received a whole-life term, and Adebowale was sentenced to a minimum of 45 years.
