THE fiancee of murdered soldier Lee Rigby has branded his killers "cowards" as they began the first day of their life sentences.

Michael Adebolajo, 29, was given a whole life term for the barbaric killing and Michael Adebowale, 22, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 45 years at the Old Bailey on Wednesday.

Yesterday Aimee West, who planned to marry the soldier in 2016, said: "They are cowards, they compare themselves to British soldiers, they say they're soldiers of Allah. They're not soldiers, they can't possibly compare themselves to Lee. They attacked an unarmed man, from behind using a car as a weapon, they are not soldiers."

Both killers showed no remorse, leaping to their feet as they were jailed, Adebolajo proclaiming "allahu akbar" yards from Fusilier Rigby's family.