"My judgement is that it would be foolish to leave Britain defenceless against a continuing, and growing, nuclear threat, " he said.

BBC: UK must keep Trident nuclear deterrent - David Cameron

At Manchester Crown Court, prosecutor Simon Phillips QC said Mr Rigby made a "wicked attack on a defenceless child".

BBC: Rio Smedley

"May peace spring up for the people of Syria, deeply wounded and divided by a conflict that does not spare even the defenceless and reaps innocent victims, " he said.

BBC: Pope Benedict in Christmas plea for Syria solution