THE FAMILY of Dalian Atkinson have called for the justice for other black families who have lost loved ones “at the hands of the police” following the sentencing of a police officer for the manslaughter of the former footballer.

PC Benjamin Monk was found guilty after a jury concluded his use of a Taser for 33 seconds, and at least two kicks to the former Aston Villa star’s head while he was on the ground, had killed him.

Monk, 43, was sentenced to eight years in jail by Judge Melbourne Inman QC at Birmingham crown court.

Atkinson family later described Monk as “callous” and “horrendous,” relating the killing of their loved one to the ongoing struggles face by black British communities against the police and systemic racism.

In a statement, the family said: “We pay tribute to all the bereaved families of black men who have died at the hands of the police and whose fight for justice has not led to successful prosecutions.

“It shouldn’t take the death of a famous footballer for the criminal justice system to work properly and we hope that more families can secure justice in future regardless of whether the deceased is a high profile person.

“As his fellow footballers take the knee, we hope that they will honour the memory of Dalian.”

Monk is believed to be the first British police officer in more than three decades to be convicted of manslaughter during the course of his duties.

He and another colleague were called to Atkinson’s father’s home in Meadow Close, Telford on 15 August 2016 after neighbours reported a disturbance.

Officers arrived at the scene to find Atkinson behaving erratically and who was thought to be experiencing impaired mental health during the six-minute stand-off.

The ex-footballer was kicked with such force that his blood was found in the laces of Monk’s police-issue boots, and imprints from them found on his forehead.

The Atkinson family said in their statement after sentencing: “PC Monk used horrendous violence against Dalian, who was in an extremely vulnerable position in mental health crisis and needed help.

“This was a callous attack and a terrible abuse of a police officer’s position of trust. He then failed to give a full and honest account of what happened, including at his trial.”

They also went on to criticise the decision to let Monk remain in the West Mercia police when in 2011 he was found to have committed gross misconduct for failing to fully declare past criminal cautions he received before joining the force.

“He should never have been working for the police in August 2016 and Dalian should not have died,” they added.

The judge said he accepted that the officer was dealing with a difficult situation that evening with Atkinson in a “form of psychotic state” and his behaviour being threatening, but also accepted Monk’s genuine remorse.

Inman added: “The public entrust powers to the police which they expect to be used for the common good of society.

“The sentence must reflect the importance of maintaining public confidence in our police. You have let yourself and the force down.”

Following his conviction, Monk is due to face a fast-track disciplinary hearing and be sacked from the police, which he joined in 2002.