Crown counsel Alexandra Healy QC alleged that PC Benjamin Monk and his West Mercia colleague Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith used their police training to overstate victim s conduct, and justify their actions.
By Press Association 2021
Dalian Atkinson death
The prosecutor in the trial of a policeman accused of murdering Dalian Atkinson has urged jurors to consider five “facts” surrounding the officer’s evidence – including three allegedly showing a “convenient” loss of memory.
Beginning her closing address in the sixth week of the trial of Pc Benjamin Monk, Crown counsel Alexandra Healy QC claimed the constable had not been honest in police interviews or during his account to the court.
Prosecutors claim the West Mercia Police officer used unlawful and unreasonable force out of anger, prior to the death of former Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town star Atkinson in August 2016.
Dalian Atkinson police officer cannot recall having boot on his head, murder trial told birminghammail.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from birminghammail.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The police officer accused of murdering Dalian Atkinson lied and exaggerated to justify kicking the former Aston Villa footballer in the head, a court heard.
Alexandra Healy QC, prosecuting, put it to Pc Monk that he exaggerated running for his life from Mr Atkinson so he could justify kicking him in the head after being left humiliated for not being able to control the former sportsman in front of his girlfriend Pc Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith.Â
Pc Monk denied the suggestion, but Ms Healy for the Crown said: You have deliberately sought to lie about those kicks , and have exaggerated in the course of your interview and at every opportunity to justify the excessive force you used .