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Dalian Atkinson: PC Benjamin Monk Tasered ex-footballer for 30 seconds Dalian Atkinson murder trial: Ex-footballer Tasered and kicked
(32 minutes later)
Former Aston Villa striker Dalian Atkinson died in 2016 in Telford, Shropshire, at the age of 48Former Aston Villa striker Dalian Atkinson died in 2016 in Telford, Shropshire, at the age of 48
A murder-accused PC Tasered an ex-footballer for six times longer than is standard before kicking him twice in the head, a court heard. A murder-accused PC Tasered an ex-footballer for six times longer than is standard before kicking him twice in the head, a jury has heard.
PC Benjamin Monk is charged with the murder of Dalian Atkinson during an altercation in Shropshire, in 2016. PC Benjamin Monk is charged with the murder of Dalian Atkinson during an altercation in Shropshire in 2016.
He appeared at Birmingham Crown Court for the first day of his trial with co-accused PC Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith, who is charged with assault.He appeared at Birmingham Crown Court for the first day of his trial with co-accused PC Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith, who is charged with assault.
The former Aston Villa star died after he was Tasered for 33 seconds.The former Aston Villa star died after he was Tasered for 33 seconds.
PC Benjamin Monk deployed a Taser at Mr Atkinson three times and on the third used it for more than 30 seconds PC Benjamin Monk deployed a Taser three times - the first two attempts failed and the third incapacitated Mr Atkinson
Prosecutors said the default setting for a Taser is five seconds but Mr Monk continued to press the trigger, overriding the system for 33 seconds. Prosecutors said the default setting for a Taser is five seconds but PC Monk, 42, continued to press the trigger, overriding the system for 33 seconds.
Mr Monk and Ms Bettley-Smith, officers with West Mercia Police, arrived at Mr Atkinson's father's house on Meadow Close, Telford, shortly before 01:30 BST on 15 August after neighbours had reported Mr Atkinson acting strangely and shouting in the street. PC Monk and 31-year-old PC Bettley-Smith, officers with West Mercia Police, arrived at Mr Atkinson's father's house in Meadow Close, Telford, shortly before 01:30 BST on 15 August after neighbours had reported Mr Atkinson acting strangely and shouting in the street.
The fast life of Dalian Atkinson Latest news from the West Midlands
Latest news and updates from the West Midlands The court was told PC Monk tried to Taser Mr Atkinson, who had serious health problems, three times after he came to the door acting erratically and claiming to be the Messiah.
The court heard Mr Monk Tasered Mr Atkinson, who had serious health problems, three times after he came to the door acting erratically and claiming to be the Messiah.
The first two attempts were ineffective but on the third Mr Atkinson fell to the ground.The first two attempts were ineffective but on the third Mr Atkinson fell to the ground.
While he was unresponsive, the court heard the police officers "set about him". While he was unresponsive, jurors heard the police officers "set about him".
Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith allegedly struck Mr Atkinson with a baton while he was incapacitated by the TaserMary Ellen Bettley-Smith allegedly struck Mr Atkinson with a baton while he was incapacitated by the Taser
Mr Monk kicked him in the head with such force imprints of his boot laces were left in two locations on Mr Atkinson's forehead while Ms Bettley-Smith used her baton to strike him "a number of times" while he lay still in the road, the court was told. PC Monk kicked him in the head with such force imprints of his boot laces were left in two parts of Mr Atkinson's forehead while Ms Bettley-Smith used her baton to strike him "a number of times" while he lay still in the road, the court was told.
Both officers deny wrongdoing. However, it is the prosecution's case that their use of force was excessive and sustained while Mr Atkinson posed no threat. Both officers, who the court heard were in a relationship at the time of the incident, deny wrongdoing. However, it is the prosecution's case their use of force was excessive and sustained while Mr Atkinson posed no threat.
Alexandra Healy QC said Mr Monk was not acting in self-defence but was "angry" to have been "put in fear by this man". Alexandra Healy QC said PC Monk was an experienced police officer with 14 years' experience and would have known he risked causing Mr Atkinson "really serious injury" by kicking him in the head.
"He chose to take that anger out on Dalian Atkinson by kicking him in the head," she said. She said PC Monk had not been acting in self-defence but had been "angry" to have been "put in fear by this man".
Ms Bettley-Smith too, she said, "was not acting in self defence or in defence of her colleague but also taking out her anger on a man who had earlier put her in fear, with the weapon she had been entrusted with to use lawfully". "He chose to take that anger out on Dalian Atkinson by kicking him in the head."
PC Bettley-Smith too, she said, "was not acting in self defence or in defence of her colleague but also taking out her anger on a man who had earlier put her in fear, with the weapon she had been entrusted with to use lawfully".
Ms Healy said the officers were "entitled to use reasonable force to protect themselves" and their conduct prior to the discharge of the third Taser cartridge was not criticised.Ms Healy said the officers were "entitled to use reasonable force to protect themselves" and their conduct prior to the discharge of the third Taser cartridge was not criticised.
Mr Atkinson, who had a long sporting career at a number of clubs, including Ipswich Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa and Manchester City, died in hospital at about 02:45 that morning. However, she urged jurors to "consider with great care" the defendants' case they feared for their safety and were therefore entitled to use such force.
He had been suffering with high blood pressure, heart disease and end-stage renal failure. Dalian Atkinson started his career in Ipswich in the 1980s
Mr Atkinson, who had a long sporting career at a number of clubs including Ipswich Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa and Manchester City, died in hospital at about 02:45 on the morning of the altercation.
He had been suffering with high blood pressure, heart disease and end-stage renal failure, the court was told.
The prosecution said although pathologists agreed his underlying health conditions meant Mr Atkinson was "at a greatly increased risk of dying", he would have survived "were it not for the third Taser deployment and the kicks to his head".
PC Monk denies murder as well as an alternative charge of manslaughter. PC Bettley-Smith denies assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The trial continues.The trial continues.
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