UK police facing criminal probe into death of ex-footballer *
 

LONDON: Two police ******rs in Britain were put under investigation on Thursday as part of a criminal probe into the death of a former Premier League player after he was tasered by police.

Dalian Atkinson, who played for Aston Villa in the early 1990s, died on Monday in Telford, western England.

A probe into the circumstances of his death led to two local police ******rs being put under investigation and served with gross misconduct **tices, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) watchdog said.

"Having carefully considered the evidence gathered so far, we are undertaking a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Atkinson´s death and the level and type of force used," IPCC Commissioner Derrick Campbell said in a statement.

The two police ******rs are due to be interviewed by investigators and the IPCC stressed the development did **t mean criminal charges would necessarily follow.

Atkinson, 48, was Tasered after police were called to an Telford address at around 1:30am (0030 GMT) on Monday. The ambulance service said he went into cardiac arrest en route to hospital.

A post mortem held on Wednesday ruled the cause of death as inconclusive, with further tests to be carried out. Relatives said Atkinson had been suffering from kidney problems and a weak heart.

A day after his death fans at Atkinson´s former club Aston Villa paid tribute to the former player, breaking into a minute´s applause in the 10th minute of their game against Huddersfield.

Atkinson wore the number 10 shirt as a striker for the club. He began his career at Ipswich Town and went on to play for Spanish club Real Sociedad before moving to Villa.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/com/YEor/~4/EWY5YFkHAmI

أكثر...