Thread by @SHINEreports

PC Benjamin Monk murdered former Aston Villa striker #DalianAtkinson, shooting him with a Taser stun gun for 33 seconds, then kicking him in the head as though striking a football, causing his head to snap back violently, jury hears on Tuesday. 1/
theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/m…

In early hours of Monday 15 August 2016 , while #DalianAtkinson was on the ground and apparently unresponsive, PC Benjamin Monk kicked him in the head twice with such force that the imprint of Monk’s laces was left on Atkinson’s forehead, jury is told. 2/

Prosecutor tells court that a number of neighbours witnessed the attack & said that once #DalianAtkinson was on the ground he was unresponsive & still, and no threat.
Tuesday 4 May court report by @VikramDodd 3/

theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/m…

“Delivering two forceful kicks to #DalianAtkinson 's head cannot have been an act in reasonable self-defence" prosecutor Alexandra Healy QC tells jury at Birmingham crown court at murder & manslaughter trial of PC Benjamin Monk 4/
theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/m…

Jury hears on Wed 5 May that #DalianAtkinson , former Aston Villa player, in mental health crisis, was tasered for an extraordinary 33 seconds, then he fell to the ground and PC Monk kicked him twice in the head.
Wednesday 5 May court report by @VikramDodd 5/

PC Monk's work partner (and they were in a relationship at the time) PC Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith denies assault after repeatedly striking #DalianAtkinson with a baton during the six-minute incident 6/
theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/m…

Monk’s barrister, Patrick Gibbs QC, said the defence would dispute the medical evidence and the officers' intention was to protect Atkinson’s father and keep themselves safe.
Wednesday 5 May court report by @VikramDodd
7/

theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/m…

Jury is told that when #DalianAtkinson lay on the ground unresponsive PC Benjamin Monk yelled "fucking hit him, fucking hit him" to his girlfriend & work partner PC Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith.
Wed 5 May report in TheSun 8/

thesun.co.uk/news/14856469/…

remembering #DalianAtkinson
9/

revised Guardian headline:

Police officer Benjamin Monk accused of murdering #DalianAtkinson lied about kicking him in head, court told.
@darshnasoni report from Wednesday 5 May @Channel4News 10/
channel4.com/news/police-of…

(then) 37 yr old PC Benjamin Monk was working alongside his (then) 26 yr old girlfriend, probationary PC Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith.
Monk denies murder. Bettley-Smith denies assault.
Former Aston Villa star #DalianAtkinson died 15 August 2016 /11

@CarlJackson_LDR is also reporting from trial of PC Benjamin Monk and PC Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith.

Monk denies murder & manslaughter of #DalianAtikinson

Bettley-Smith denies assault. /12

https://twitter.com/CarlJackson_LDR/status/1389985205105070084