EX-ASTON Villa star Dalian Atkinson was killed after being Tasered and kicked "like a football" by a police officer in August 2016.
The cop has been found guilty of manslaughter following the footballer's death in Telford, Shropshire, and his cause of death has been revealed.
3
Dalian Atkinson was an Aston Villa player Credit: Getty Images - Getty Who was Dalian Atkinson?
Born in Telford, Shropshire, in 1968 he first burst on to the scene as a teenager at Ipswich Town in 1985.
One of his earliest moments of brilliance saw him bang in a hat-trick against Middlesbrough when he was just 20 years old.
He also helped Villa win the 1994 League Cup final against Manchester United.
A career spanning 16 years saw him play in England, Spain, Turkey, France, Saudi Arabia and South Korea.
His siblings described him as kind, caring, funny and cheeky.
But prior to his death, relatives said he was “not in his right mind” and was suffering from health issues, including kidney problems and a weak heart.
His brother Paul, 55, said Atkinson had been acting irrationally as he was too “scared to sleep” due to medication he was on following dialysis treatment.
3
Atkinson had a football career spanning 16 years Credit: Reuters What was Dalian Atkinson's cause of death?
The Premier League footballer, 48, died after being shot with a 50,000-volt Taser in Telford, Shropshire, in August 2016.
He was Tasered for 33 seconds - six times longer than the standard five-second length of time.
The 6ft 2ins striker collapsed in the road before police officer Benjamin Monk kicked him several times "like a football" with such force that his blood was found in the laces of the cop's boots.
Atkinson received medical treatment after going into cardiac arrest but was sadly pronounced dead in hospital at around 3am.
His cause of death was registered as cardiorespiratory arrest.
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.
He was laid to rest in a humanist funeral in November 2016.
Most read in News
VAX LOOKING GOOD Vaccine boss Nadhim Zahawi to give 5pm press conference today
BEYOND THE GRAVEBrit mum wrote diary in CODE to secretly record abuse by killer husband
OH BROTHERWilliam 'not impressed' with Meg & Harry's 'prima donna' attempts to hide birth
FEEL THE STRAINNew ‘Delta plus’ Covid variant that’s ‘more transmissible’ detected in UK
DI'S DEATHBEDCharles' tears & a rush to embalm her - astonishing insight after Di's death
OUT OF OFFICEFour-day working week could be 'new normal' for Brits after Covid, says tsar
What charge has PC Benjamin Monk been convicted of?
PC Benjamin Monk has been cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter.
Jurors at Birmingham Crown Court took 18 hours and 48 minutes to reach unanimous verdicts on the officer, who claimed he was put in fear of his life by the former footballing star.
He is believed to be the first British police officer ever to be found guilty of unlawfully killing a member of the public while on duty.
3
PC Benjamin Monk has been convicted of manslaughter but cleared of murder Credit: PA
Cop arrives at court charged with murder of ex-Aston Villa star Dalian Atkinson who was shot with Taser