The tearful widow of soldier Lee Rigby left court in tears as graphic accounts of his murder were relived.

Fusilier Rigby’s widow Rebecca left the oak-panelled Old Bailey courtroom in tears as the statements were read.

The Calderdale mum of one, who lives in Southowram, was unable to listen as jurors heard horrific eyewitness accounts of how he was run over and attacked with a meat cleaver and knives.

One of the men accused of his murder tried to behead him.

Prosecutor Richard Whittam QC read statements made by members of the public who saw the Fusilier’s alleged murder near Woolwich barracks in south east London on May 22.

Saraj Miah, who was seen in a CCTV clip talking with a local shopkeeper near the scene, said after Fusilier Rigby was run over, two armed men got out of the car. One of the two attackers pointed a gun at him when he told them not to kill the soldier.

He said: “I thought that the two black men with knives were going to kill him. I told them not to kill him. They did not listen to me.”

One attacker slashed Fusilier Rigby’s throat while the other stabbed him, the court heard.

“The black man in the passenger seat with knives in both his hands stabbed the fallen man six times in his chest.”

He described the man who had been driving the car walking around “as if nothing had happened”.

Mr Miah said the two men then “threw the body on the left lane of the road”.

“I was very shocked by the incident,” he added. “I could not sleep for two weeks.”

Two men, Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, are on trial at the Old Bailey for Fusilier Rigby’s murder, which they deny. They are also accused of attempting to murder a police officer and conspiracy to murder a police officer.