Politics
Ex-Aston Villa star Dalian Atkinson ‘told cops he was “going to take them to the gates of hell” before he was Tasered’
FORMER Aston Villa star Dalian Atkinson told two cops he was “going to take them to the gates of hell” before he got Tasered for 33 seconds, a court heard today.
The ex-Villa and Manchester City striker, 48, was “kicked like a football” by a cop yelling “f***ing hit him” before he was killed, the court was told.
West Mercia Police Constables Benjamin Monk (right) and Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith (left) arrive at Birmingham Crown Court to stand trial[/caption]
A police officer is accused of murdering ex-Aston Villa star Dalian Atkinson[/caption]
Officers had been called to Atkinson’s father’s home, where they fired the Taser[/caption]
He was allegedly Tasered for six times longer than the standand five-second phase before he died in Telford, Shropshire, in August 2016.
Benjamin Monk, 42, is accused of killing the former Premier League ace using a 50,000-volt Taser in the first case of its kind in Britain.
The cop, from West Mercia Police, denies murder and manslaughter. A female officer, PC Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith, 31, faces an offence of assault.
Birmingham Crown Court has heard the officers – who were in a relationship at the time – were called to Atkinson’s father’s home following an alleged bust-up.
The court was earlier told how Atkinson’s behaviour as “disturbed and erratic” before Monk intervened.
‘GATES OF HELL’
Prosecutor Alexandra Healy QC, summarising what Monk told investigators in his interview, said: “He described how when he was approaching (Mr Atkinson’s father’s house) he was aware of a ‘very loud row; taking place within the property, with one voice much louder than the other.
“Pc Monk explained that Mr Atkinson appeared at the doorway of the house he was in an obvious rage and said ‘This is the Messiah’.
“Pc Monk produced the Taser, but Dalian Atkinson, who he Pc Monk did not know, was apparently unconcerned, saying ‘I am going to take you to the gates of hell’.
“Pc Monk was, he said, fearful for himself, his partner – who he was in a relationship with – and whoever was in (the property).”
Monk told investigators that Mr Atkinson stepped towards him, so he deployed his Taser.
Ms Healy said PC Monk deployed the Taser for a second time but again it was “wholly ineffective”.
She continued: “Monk loaded the third and final cartridge into his Taser and Mr Atkinson then walked towards him, talking again of taking him to the ‘gates of hell’.
Pc Monk produced the Taser, but Dalian Atkinson, who he Pc Monk did not know, was apparently unconcerned, saying ;I am going to take you to the gates of hell’.”
Prosecutor Alexandra Healy QC
“Pc Monk then discharged the Taser once more and, on this occasion, it was ‘completely effective’.
“He said Mr Atkinson went ‘rigid’ with neuro muscular incapacitation and fell forward. Had it not worked, he said, ‘we were completely done for’.”
Yesterday, the court heard that horrified witnesses told 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”, it was said.
Ms Healy QC read a report from Victor Swinbourne, who had been woken by the noise.
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.
‘KICKED LIKE A FOOTBALL’
“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.”
The court was told Monk’s girlfriend then began “striking” Atkinson with an extendable baton as he made “no movement or any attempt to protect himself”.
The prosecutor continued: “Mr Swinbourne described the two officers then sitting on the black male in order to handcuff him. He describes hearing the black male make some horrendous noises.”
Monk was then heard telling Bettley-Smith “f***ing hit him, f***ing hit him” while Atkinson lay motionless on the ground, it was said.
Monk is only the fourth officer to be charged with murdering someone while on duty in more than 20 years.
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Atkinson also 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 trial, which is due to last eight weeks, continues.
Kenroy Atkinson, the brother of former footballer Dalian Atkinson, arrives at Birmingham Crown Court[/caption]
Along with Aston Villa, Atkinson also played for Sheffield Wednesday, Manchester City, Ipswich Town, Fenerbahce and Real Sociedad during a career spanning 16 years[/caption]
Dalian Atkinson collapsed in the road after the Taser was fired[/caption]
