Family of Dalian Atkinson slam ‘terrible abuse of trust’ as killer police officer is jailed for eight years

DALIAN Atkinson's family have today blasted the "terrible abuse of trust" as a killer police officer was jailed.

West Mercia PC Benjamin Monk, 42, was caged for eight years for a "callous attack" that killed ex-Aston Villa star Dalian after he was Tasered for 33 seconds.

The Premier League footballer, 48, died after being shot with a 50,000-volt Taser in Telford, Shropshire, in August 2016.

Monk was convicted of manslaughter, but cleared of murder last week in the first case of its kind in the UK.

Judge Melbourne  Inman QC, Recorder of Birmingham, jailed Monk for eight years at Birmingham Crown Court today. 

Dalian's family thanked the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)  and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for "bringing PC Monk to justice".

'HORRENDOUS VIOLENCE'

In a statement read outside court, the footballer's family said: "As his fellow footballers take the knee, we hope that they will honour the memory of Dalian.

"Whilst this case has taken far too long, we thank the IOPC and CPS for ultimately bringing PC Monk to justice."

They added: "PC Monk used horrendous violence against Dalian, who was in an extremely vulnerable position in mental health crisis and needed help.

"This was a callous attack and a terrible abuse of a police officer's position of trust.

"He then failed to give a full and honest account of what happened, including at his trial. We are pleased that all these factors have been reflected in the sentence."

PC Monk used horrendous violence against Dalian, who was in an extremely vulnerable position in mental health crisis and needed help

Dalian Atkinson's family

Monk must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence in custody.

Sentencing him today, the judge added: "You have let yourself and the force down.

"Although they were difficult, you failed to act appropriately in the circumstances as they developed and you used a degree of force in delivering two kicks to the head, which was excessive and which were a cause of Mr Atkinson's death.

"The obvious aggravating factor is that you committed this offence while on duty as a police officer."

TRAGIC END

Monk 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.

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.

The 6ft 2in 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 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.

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.