An al-Qaida-inspired extremist was sentenced to life without parole Wednesday for hacking an off-duty British soldier to death on a London street in front of horrified passers-by. His accomplice received a minimum 45 year sentence.
A fearless mother who bravely confronted the machete-wielding killers who killed a British soldier on the streets of London has told how she wished she acted like a "coward" that day as the moment has ruined her life.
The woman dubbed "the Angel of Woolwich" after confronting the killers ofFusilier Lee Rigby two years ago says her moment of bravery has ended up ruining her life.
Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, 51, said she regrets challenging the crazed killers just seconds after they butchered the 25-year-old soldier to death.
Others fled the scene outside the Woolwich barracks on May 22, 2013, but the former cub scout leader tried to keep Michael Adebolajo talking for a long as possible as she was worried he would keep killing.
The mother-of-two immediately stepped off the bus in south east London and stood up to the Muslim fanatics as Adebolajo clutched a bloody knife.
But she said the publicity surrounding her heroics has made her a target for bullies who have pelted her home with eggs.
She said: "At the time I saw three couples in three cars drive off and thought 'shame on you, you cowards'. But maybe next time I would take the cowards way out."
Lee Rigby of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was attacked and killed by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale on the afternoon of May 22 2013. Photo / Supplied
On the third anniversary of the day the young soldier was run down and butchered on the streets of Woolwich, Loyau-Kennett says she has been left battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety attacks and is terrified to leave her home.
She's received a host of awards for her extraordinary courage that day.
But the former teacher, from Helston, Cornwall, said she is now jobless and battling PTSD and has given up her old hobbies as a scout header, bell ringer and chorister.
"Every day I had an activity. Now it's the complete emptiness around me. I can't stop sleeping, I just don't wake up," she said.
"I recently lost 19kg and have a list of medication longer than my arm."
She said doctors have not helped her and complained: "I feel sick, poor and isolated. What's the point in being a hero if I don't see it in my everyday life?"
Adebolajo, 32, is serving a whole life term while his accomplice Michael Adebowale, 24, is serving at least 45 years for the murder.
However, Ms Loyau-Kennett believes Adebowale should not have been handed such a harsh sentence.
"He didn't have one drop of blood on him. He should spend 10 years in rehabilitation. He is so mentally ill he shouldn't be put with killers," she said.
