A COP has today been found guilty of killing ex-Aston Villa star Dalian Atkinson after Tasering him for 33 seconds and kicking him twice.
The Premier League footballer, 48, died after being shot with a 50,000-volt Taser in Telford, Shropshire, in August 2016.
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West Mercia Police Constables Benjamin Monk has been found guilty of manslaughter Credit: PA 11
AEx-Aston Villa star Dalian Atkinson suffered a cardiac arrest Credit: Getty - Contributor
Benjamin Monk, 42, has today been convicted of manslaughter but cleared of murder in the first case of its kind in the UK.
He is believed to be the first British police officer to be found guilty of unlawfully killing a member of the public while on duty since 1986.
Jurors are still deliberating on charges against Monk's cop girlfriend Mary-Ellen Bettley-Smith, who allegedly hit Dalian with her baton as he lay on the ground.
Dalian's family today slammed the cop for "trying to minimise the force he used" and "exaggerating the threat he posed".
They added: "Our sincere hope now the truth about his death is known, and justice has been done, is that we can start to remember him not for the manner in which he died, but for the way in which he lived."
Dalian was hit with a 50,000-volt shock after officers were called to an alleged bust-up with his dad in August 2016.
He was Tasered for 33 seconds - six times longer than the standard five-second length of time.
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Kenroy Atkinson, brother of Dalian Atkinson, and his wife Julie Atkinson, speak after the verdict Credit: PA 11
Monk shows the force he used while kicking Dalian in a police interview Credit: SWNS 11
Jurors are still deliberating on charges against Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith Credit: PA 11
Officers had been called to Atkinson’s father’s home, where they fired the Taser Credit: PA:Press Association
The 6ft 2ins striker collapsed in the road in Telford and died 90 minutes later after going into cardiac arrest.
Jurors heard how Dalian was "disturbed and erratic" leading up to his death and told Monk he was "going to take you to the gates of Hell".
The experienced officer fired two cartridges at the footballer, which had no effect, after he claimed he was the "Messiah".
He then held his finger on the trigger for 33 seconds on the third attempt.
Dalian's family's statement in full
"Dalian Atkinson is much missed by all his family and friends and the footballing communities of the clubs he played for in his long and successful career as a professional footballer, especially Ipswich Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa.
"The past five years have been an ordeal for Dalian's family.
"We knew years ago about the terrible injuries inflicted by Pc Monk on Dalian, but have been unable to talk about them due to the criminal process.
"We are hugely relieved the whole country now knows the truth about how Dalian died.
"While it has been hard for us not to be able to talk about the details of Dalian's death, it has been even harder to sit through this trial and to hear PC Monk try to justify the force he used.
"On the night he died, Dalian was vulnerable and unwell and needed medical attention. He instead received violence, and died with PC Monk's boot lace prints bruised onto his forehead.
"We have been sickened to hear PC Monk try to minimise the force he used on Dalian and exaggerate the threat he posed.
"Fortunately, the jury has seen through the lies and the pretence.
"We would like to thank the jury members for all their hard work and attention.
"The fact this case has taken nearly five years to get to trial is completely unacceptable, especially when you consider Pc Monk's identity was known to the prosecuting authorities from day one.
"By contrast, the murderer of George Floyd was convicted less than a year after his death.
"Our system for prosecuting police officers must work better in future to get rid of these unjustifiable delays. No more excuses - no more delays.
"Dalian's footballing talent led him to achieve great things in his life.
"Our sincere hope now the truth about his death is known, and justice has been done, is that we can start to remember him not for the manner in which he died, but for the way in which he lived."
Dalian collapsed on the ground where Monk then kicked him several times "like a football", horrified witnesses said.
One bystander told jurors how the footballer was booted around "15 times" as he had the "s**t kicked out of him".
Others claimed they saw Monk resting his foot on Atkinson's head as he made "gurgling sounds".
The striker was kicked with such force his blood was found in the laces of Monk's boots and there was an imprint of the cops' shoes on his forehead.
Alexandra Healy QC, prosecuting, read a report from Victor Swinbourne, who had been woken by the noise.
ONE OF FIRST STARS OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE
DALIAN Atkinson was one of the first big stars of the Premier League.
In its inaugural 1992/93 season, his goals steered Aston Villa to the runners-up spot.
He even won goal of the season with an incredible solo effort against Wimbledon.
In 1994 he won the Coca-Cola League Cup Final with Villa beating Manchester United 3-1 and was pictured holding the trophy with manager Ron Atkinson.
He later played for Manchester City and for clubs in Turkey, France, Saudi Arabia and South Korea before retiring in 2001.
The former Villa striker died after being tasered in August 2016. The case was immediately referred to the police watchdog.
In November that year stars from the world of football attended his funeral in Telford.
In August 2017 the police watchdog revealed three West Mercia officers had been interviewed under criminal caution.
A file of evidence was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service in October last year.
She told he Mr Swinbourne described seeing Atkinson collapse after being Tasered before Monk gave him a "couple of light kicks".
The prosecutor continued: "He then saw the officer pull his right foot all the way back and give the black male a final massive and powerful kick using the toe of his right foot as the male lay motionless on the floor.
"The officer's leg went straight back and snapped forwards as though he was kicking a football.
"He described the motion as similar to the sort of kick that would have been required to move a ball up field with significant force.
"It was not, he thought, as strong a kick as a goal kick, as the officer did not appear to take a run up to it.
"He believed the kick was initially to the black male's chest but given the strength of the impact it looked as though the kick bounced off the chest and hit him in the chin, because he saw the black male's head snap back violently."
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Clothing worn by Atkinson shows the damaged caused Credit: SWNS 11
He was kicked in the head while stricken on the ground Credit: SWNS
The officer was later heard telling paramedics "he may be bloody as I had to kick him" as the footballer was rushed to hospital.
Dalian, who had a number of health issues, went into cardiac arrest and was declared dead shortly after.
The prosecution’s medical experts said despite his poor medical state, Dalian would have survived the encounter were it not for the lengthy Tasering and the kicks to the head.
Monk later claimed he feared for his life and accepted he "instinctively" kicked the star in the shoulder during the arrest.
Villa star Dalian played for Sheffield Wednesday, Manchester City, Ipswich Town, Fenerbahce and Real Sociedad during a career spanning 16 years.
He scored in Villa’s 3-1 1994 League Cup final victory over Manchester United and went on to net 36 times for the club in 114 appearances.
The ace also netted a wonder goal against Wimbledon in the 1992-93 season.
He picked the ball up well inside his own half before gliding past a stream of Dons defenders and chipping goalkeeper Hans Segers from 25 yards.
The goal - and the celebration with a member of the crowd holding an umbrella - became the stuff of Villa legend.
Speaking after the verdict, Kate Maynard, from Hickman and Rose solicitors, who are representing the family, said they were forced to "wait patiently for almost half a decade" for the truth.
She also said the "wheels of justice" had turned "far too slowly" and explained the case must "mark a turning point for the IOPC and CPS".
Ms Maynard added: "This is the first manslaughter conviction in the modern era of a police officer using excessive force in the course of duty.
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"This is a landmark conviction. I hope it is a watershed moment for accountability of police officers in this country.
"It is striking that even before the first anniversary of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis, the police officer who murdered him had already been convicted.
"By contrast, Pc Monk was able to blame the five-year delay on his vague and variable evidence; and that delay caused Dalian's family significant anguish and uncertainty."
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Dalian was shot three times with the Taser Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 11
The footballer was taken to hospital but suffered a cardiac arrest Credit: PA:Empics Sport 11
Monk claimed he feared for his life Credit: PA
Constable Benjamin Monk arrives at Birmingham Crown Court accused of the murder of Dalian Atkinson