Killer Michael Adebowale contracts coranavirus in prison, fights for breathe as he is placed on oxygen

The killer of soldier Lee Rigby is on oxygen in hospital after contracting coronavirus while serving his sentence at Broadmoor, according to reports.

Michael Adebowale, 29, has reportedly been taken from the high-security psychiatric hospital in Crowthorne, Berkshire, to a Covid ward after his condition went 'rapidly downhill'.

It is the second time in recent days that the killer has been admitted to hospital with the virus, according to the Sun.

A source told the paper: 'He’s in a very bad way and fighting for every breath.

'It’s reached the stage where it’s a 24/7 battle. If he deteriorates much further, intensive care would be the next step.' 

Adebowale, who is said to have tested positive for Covid two weeks ago, is not on a ventilator but is receiving oxygen treatment, the paper reports. 

The Sun also quoted the mother of Lee Rigby, Lyn, 53, who said it would 'not be just for Covid to take this man (Adebowale) prematurely and end the sentence handed to him'. 

Adebowale and his accomplice Michael Adebolajo ran over 25-year-old fusilier Mr Rigby close to Woolwich barracks, London, in May 2013 before stabbing him to death in broad daylight. 

The father of one died as a result of multiple cut and stab wounds after the attack, fuelled by Adebowale and Adebolajo's extremist beliefs - described as a 'betrayal of Islam' at their murder trial in 2014.