Trial date set for officers in Dalian Atkinson case
The two police officers charged in connection with the death of former Premier League footballer Dalian Atkinson will face trial next September, following a plea and directions hearing at Birmingham Crown Court earlier today (December 9).
Police Constable Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm while her West Mercia Police colleague Police Constable Benjamin Monk has been charged with murder.
PC Bettley-Smith pleaded not guilty to assaulting Mr Atkinson. PC Monk was not required to enter a plea to the charge of murder during the hearing.
Both officers were granted unconditional bail until a further hearing on May 5, 2020. The trial date has been set for September 14. Both officers remain suspended.
Mr Atkinson, 48, died after officers used a Taser near to his father’s house during an incident in the Trench area of Telford in August 2016.
