A UK court found a policeman guilty of manslaughter who allegedly shocked former professional footballer Dalian Atkinson almost five years ago.
Birmingham – Less than five years after the death of former professional footballer Dalian Atkinson in Birmingham, a British court has found a police officer guilty of manslaughter.
The court acquitted him of the allegation of murder, but saw it as proven that the officer had stuned the former Aston Villa professional Atkinson for 33 seconds, which was significantly longer than usual. Subsequently, he is said to have kicked him in the head at least twice. Atkinson, who suffered from mental and physical problems such as heart and kidney problems, later died in hospital at the age of 48.
The police officer and a colleague were called to a house in Telford in western England at night. Neighbors had complained about Atkinson’s strange behavior. His brother also reported that he strangled his father and threatened him with death. The policeman is said to have given Atkinson an electric shock shortly after he arrived. When that had no effect, he prosecuted him again – a total of six times longer than usual.
The officer denied wrongdoing in court, saying he feared for his life and that of his colleague. The policewoman is also charged. She is said to have beaten Dalian Atkinson with a baton. A decision is still pending. dpa
