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Dalian Atkinson: PC guilty of former footballer's manslaughter Dalian Atkinson: PC guilty of former footballer's manslaughter
(32 minutes later)
Dalian Atkinson died aged 48 on 15 August 2016Dalian Atkinson died aged 48 on 15 August 2016
A police officer has been found guilty of the manslaughter of ex-footballer Dalian Atkinson.A police officer has been found guilty of the manslaughter of ex-footballer Dalian Atkinson.
The former Aston Villa striker died after a stand-off with West Mercia police officers outside his father's home in Telford, Shropshire in 2016.The former Aston Villa striker died after a stand-off with West Mercia police officers outside his father's home in Telford, Shropshire in 2016.
PC Benjamin Monk, 43, was cleared by jurors of an alternative charge of murder.PC Benjamin Monk, 43, was cleared by jurors of an alternative charge of murder.
A trial at Birmingham Crown Court heard Monk tasered Mr Atkinson for 33 seconds and kicked him twice in the head.A trial at Birmingham Crown Court heard Monk tasered Mr Atkinson for 33 seconds and kicked him twice in the head.
He denied any wrongdoing and said he believed there was a danger to life for him and his colleague.He denied any wrongdoing and said he believed there was a danger to life for him and his colleague.
PC Benjamin Monk was found guilty of the manslaughter of Mr Atkinson but cleared of his murderPC Benjamin Monk was found guilty of the manslaughter of Mr Atkinson but cleared of his murder
Mr Atkinson began his career at Ipswich Town before moving to Sheffield Wednesday, Real Sociedad and Aston Villa.Mr Atkinson began his career at Ipswich Town before moving to Sheffield Wednesday, Real Sociedad and Aston Villa.
Following a three-week-trial, jurors took 18 hours and 48 minutes to reach unanimous verdicts on Monk. Following a six-week-trial, jurors took 18 hours and 48 minutes to reach unanimous verdicts on Monk, who has 14 years' service.
They are still deliberating on an assault charge relating to Monk's colleague and former girlfriend, PC Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith, 31.They are still deliberating on an assault charge relating to Monk's colleague and former girlfriend, PC Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith, 31.
Police were called to Meadow Close in Trench, Telford on 15 August, where Mr Atkinson was reported to have been acting erratically Atkinson started his career at Ipswich Town, before moving to Sheffield Wednesday, Real Sociedad, Aston Villa and Fenerbahçe
The trial heard how the pair were called to Mr Atkinson's father's house in Meadow Close on 15 August, where the the sportsman had been acting erratically. The trial heard how the pair were called to Mr Atkinson's father's house in Meadow Close in the early hours of 15 August, where the the sportsman had been acting erratically.
Monk told the court he ran in fear after Mr Atkinson, who appeared to be having a mental health crisis, made death threats and smashed a glass door pane.Monk told the court he ran in fear after Mr Atkinson, who appeared to be having a mental health crisis, made death threats and smashed a glass door pane.
The fast life of Dalian Atkinson
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The trial heard Monk had discharged his Taser three times at Mr Atkinson, twice unsuccessfully, but on the third time he overrode the system, holding down the trigger for 33 seconds - more than six times the standard deployment.The trial heard Monk had discharged his Taser three times at Mr Atkinson, twice unsuccessfully, but on the third time he overrode the system, holding down the trigger for 33 seconds - more than six times the standard deployment.
The striker famously scored the opener in Aston Villa's 1994 League Cup final win over Manchester United Police were called to Meadow Close in Trench, Telford on 15 August, where Mr Atkinson was reported to have been acting erratically
The officer claimed to have no recollection of placing his foot on Mr Atkinson's head as colleagues arrived at the scene.The officer claimed to have no recollection of placing his foot on Mr Atkinson's head as colleagues arrived at the scene.
However he conceded he must have kicked the ex-footballer twice in the forehead, because bootlace prints proved he had, the officer maintained his actions were lawful self-defence, made necessary when the former Premier league star tried to get up. However he conceded he must have kicked the ex-footballer twice in the forehead, because bootlace prints proved he had.
Mr Atkinson, who had a number of underlying health conditions, died later that morning in hospital. Monk maintained his actions were lawful self-defence, made necessary when the former Premier league star tried to get up.
The striker famously scored the opener in Aston Villa's 1994 League Cup final win over Manchester United
Mr Atkinson, who had a number of underlying health conditions, went into cardiac arrest after being taken from the scene in an ambulance, and was pronounced dead in hospital at 02:45 BST - about an hour after he was tasered.
According to the charity Inquest, no police officer has been found guilty of murder or manslaughter over a death in custody or following police contact in England and Wales since the 1980s.
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