x

Retrial For PC Charged With Dalian Atkinson Assault - Ipswich Town News

PC Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith will face a retrial for assaulting former Town striker Dalian Atkinson in the August 2016 incident which led to his death.

PC Benjamin Monk was jailed for eight years earlier this week having been found guilty of his manslaughter but the jury at Birmingham Crown Court was unable to reach a verdict on Bettley-Smith and was discharged.

"The CPS has today informed the court that we will seek a retrial of PC Ellen Bettley-Smith for an assault on Dalian Atkinson occasioning actual bodily harm," the Crown Prosecution Service’s head of special crime, Rosemary Ainslie, said.

"We remind everyone that criminal proceedings are active and that Ms Bettley-Smith has a right to a fair trial."

Atkinson died aged 48 in the early hours of Monday 15th August 2016 outside his father Ernest’s house in the Trench area of Telford.

The frontman joined Town as a youth player having been scouted by legendary Blues talent spotter Ron Gray during Bobby Ferguson’s time as boss.

The Shrewsbury-born frontman made his senior debut in March 1986 and went on to make 56 starts and 13 sub appearances scoring 21 goals before moving to Sheffield Wednesday for £450,000 in July 1989. Aston Villa, Real Sociedad and Fenerbahçe were among his other clubs.

Not date has yet been set for Bettley-Smith’s retrial.


What to read next:

Town Women to Host Villa U21s in Friendly
Ipswich Town Women will play a friendly against WSL side Aston Villa’s U21s at the Martello Ground in Felixstowe on Sunday 17th August (KO 2pm).
Town Yet to Open Young Talks
TWTD understands Town are yet to open talks with veteran former England international Ashley Young, but there is interest.
Veteran Ex-England International Young 'Likely' to Join Town
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is reportedly likely to join the Blues this summer.
Blues Among Clubs Linked With Liverpool Youngster
Town are reported to be among a number of clubs eyeing a loan move for Liverpool midfielder James McConnell.
Long Melford Friendly Off
Town’s U21s’ pre-season friendly against Long Melford at Stoneylands on Tuesday evening has been called off with John McGreal’s side in action at Needham Market that night (KO 7.45pm).
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Chaplin: New Trio Impressing Everyone
Town forward Conor Chaplin says he and his teammates have been impressed by the new arrivals of David Button, Cedric Kipre and Azor Matusiwa.
Nigerian Youngster on Trial With U21s and U18s
Nigerian youngster Sunday Joseph is among the trialists to have featured the Blues’ U21s and U18s during pre-season.
U18s Beaten at Brightlingsea
Town's U18s were well-beaten 4-1 by Isthmian League North Division side Brightlingsea Regent at North Road in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon.
McKenna: We Need to Expand Our Scouting Networks and Recruit From Different Markets
Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken about his first two outfield signings, Azor Matusiwa and Cedric Kipre, who played a half each in today’s 4-1 friendly win at Blau-Weiß Linz, and says the Blues need to be in a position to recruit more players from overseas.