Benjamin Monk

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Benjamin Monk is a British police officer convicted of manslaughter for the killing of English footballer Dalian Atkinson.

Killing of Atkinson

On 15 August 2016, police were called to a house in Telford to deal with Atkinson, who was suffering a psychotic episode and ranting about how he was going to kill his father. Police were unable to subdue Atkinson with two Taser shots, until a third shot was fired by Monk. Monk pressed down the trigger of his Taser for 33 seconds, way over the permitted five seconds, successfully getting Atkinson to the ground. He then proceeded to kick the subdued Atkinson twice in the head, drawing blood and leaving boot-marks on his forehead, before continuing to stand on his head until an ambulance arrived. Atkinson died on his way to hospital.

Investigation

An inquiry was launched into Atkinson's death by the UK's police watchdog. Monk was confirmed as the officer who kicked Atkinson when examination of his police boots found traces of Atkinson's blood on the laces. Witnesses to the arrest also testified that Monk had tasered Atkinson for 55 seconds and stood on his head. Atkinson was arrested and charged with murder and manslaughter in November 2019. His defence was that his actions were necessary to restrain Atkinson. He also attempted to deflect the blame onto another officer, claiming that they had kicked Atkinson.

On 23 June 2021, a jury acquitted Monk of murder but convicted him of manslaughter, the first time in 30 years that a British police officer was convicted of manslaughter. Monk was sentenced to eight years in prison.