Dalian Atkinson: Kicks and Taser 'contributed to death'

Dalian Atkinson died aged 48 on 15 August 2016

The use of a Taser and kicks to the head changed Dalian Atkinson's "trajectory to one of dying", a court heard.

Dr Jasmeet Soar told PC Benjamin Monk's murder trial his kicks and Taser use were significant factors in Mr Atkinson's deterioration.

The former Aston Villa striker died after a stand-off with West Mercia police officers outside his father's home in Telford in 2016.

PC Monk, 42, denies murder.

Dr Soar, a specialist in intensive care medicine, told Birmingham Crown Court Mr Atkinson's pre-existing medical conditions, including kidney disease and an enlarged heart, his apparent mental health crisis, the use of a Taser, and kicks to the head, had all contributed to the 48-year-old's death.

The West Mercia Police officers responded to a callout at Mr Atkinson's father's house in Meadow Close, at about 01:30 BST on 15 August.

Officers Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith (L) and Benjamin Monk (R) deny the charges against them

The court previously heard how PC Monk was "absolutely petrified" to find Mr Atkinson acting strangely and he deployed his Taser three times.

On the third discharge, which lasted 33-seconds, Mr Atkinson, who also played for Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday, fell to the ground.

While he was down, PC Monk kicked his head while colleague PC Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith allegedly struck him with her baton, the court heard.

Dalian Atkinson had a number of underlying health conditions including heart disease and kidney failure

Before the use of the Taser for the third time Mr Atkinson did not have an immediate, life-threatening condition, Dr Soar said.

He said the Taser discharge led to increased stress on Mr Atkinson and the two kicks were of significance because they contributed to unconsciousness, which in turn contributed to impaired breathing.

"I think the kicks were significant in his deterioration," he said.

"In my opinion the contributors to Dalian Atkinson's death were his pre-existing medical conditions, his mental state, the use of the Taser and kicks to the head," Dr Soar added.

"The prolonged firing [of the Taser] and the kicks don't just happen to be a coincidence around the time he would have died anyway.

"That changed his trajectory to one of dying."

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Pc Monk also denies an alternative manslaughter charge and his co-accused, PC Bettley-Smith, 31, denies assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The trial continues.