MX23RW : Monday, May 6 11:58:55| >> :120:73962:73962:

Father told police Dalian Atkinson 'not in right mind' when he was tasered

Father told police Dalian Atkinson 'not in right mind' when he was tasered
© Reuters
Two police officers are on trial accused of unlawfully attacking the 48-year-old retired Aston Villa player.

The Dalian Atkinson murder trial has heard the former footballer's father told police his son was not in his right mind on the night he was Tasered outside his family home.

On the third day of a trial at Birmingham Crown Court, jurors were read a statement given to officers by Ernest Atkinson a week after his son's death on August 15, 2016.

Mr Atkinson, who has since died, told police his son had grabbed him around the throat after "pounding" on the door of his home in Meadow Close in Telford, Shropshire, in the early hours.

Dalian Atkinson death
A photo of Dalian Atkinson shown to the jury by his partner Karen Wright (Handout/PA)

The Crown alleges West Mercia Pc Benjamin Monk murdered the ex-Aston Villa striker by kicking him in the head intending serious harm, while the officer's then partner, Pc Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith struck blows with a baton out of anger.

Jurors have heard Ernest Atkinson, then aged 85, gave his account of the events to police on August 23, 2016.

His statement was summarised and read into the court record on Thursday by junior prosecution counsel Paul Jarvis.

Mr Jarvis said: "Ernest explained that he was in bed upstairs when he heard some movement outside at the front of his house.

"He saw his son Dalian standing outside on the gravel area near the front of the house."

Mr Atkinson told police he had opened a window and asked his son what was wrong, and he had asked to come inside to talk.

The former Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich player seemed to be upset, his father stated, and he opened the door for him because he was banging on it.

Addressing the jury, Mr Jarvis added: "Dalian told Ernest Atkinson that he loved him and asked why his father and the rest of the family were trying to kill him."

Dalian Atkinson death
Accused police constables Benjamin Monk and Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith arriving at court (Jacob King/PA)

The court heard Mr Atkinson recalled his son saying: "I'm alive, I am the messiah, and I have come to kill you."

According to Mr Atkinson's account, his son "described himself as a born-again Christian" and appeared to be angry.

Continuing to summarise the statement, Mr Jarvis said: "At that, Dalian grabbed Ernest by the throat and pushed him down into a chair. He told him not to move otherwise he would kill Paul and Kenroy, Dalian's brothers.

"Dalian asked his father how much they had paid him."

Jurors were told Dalian then answered the phone, again shouting that he was "the messiah."

Mr Jarvis added: "Ernest had never seen his son like this before.

"Ernest then heard a knock at the door and a voice on the other side of the door said 'police'.

"From inside the house Ernest could see and hear Dalian standing with his hands out and say 'You are going to Taser me. I'm the messiah, you cannot hurt me'."

Dalian Atkinson death
Forensic officers in Meadow Close on the day of Dalian Atkinson's death (Joe Giddens/PA)

Mr Atkinson, who assumed the police would be able to calm his son down, then heard a bang as the glass in his front door was smashed.

He then made a telephone call to his son Paul and went to the back of his house.

Jurors were told Mr Atkinson saw two police officers and was informed that "Dalian was fine and that he was in an ambulance on the way to hospital".

Mr Jarvis added: "A short time later a police officer came into Ernest's kitchen to tell him his son had died.

"Ernest told the police that, in his view, his son had not been in his right mind that morning."

Pc Monk, 42, denies murder and manslaughter. Pc Bettley-Smith, 31, denies assault.

ID:446260: cacheID:446260:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8177:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Dalian Atkinson pictured for Aston Villa in 1992
Read Next:
Court hears Dalian Atkinson 'threatened to take officer to the gates of hell'
>
Read more about Dalian Atkinson Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!