A POLICE officer has been charged with the murder of late footballer Dalian Atkinson. 

Atkinson’s life was cut short at the age of 48, after being tasered outside of his father’s home.

He officially passed away at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford on August 15 2016, following the altercation. 

It is reported that a second officer has been charged with assault, causing actual bodily harm. 

Both officers are due to appear in court in Birmingham today (November 7).

The IOPC had previously said of its inquiry: “The investigation gathered evidence which indicates that police contact with Mr Atkinson involved the use of a taser, followed by a period of restraint and other uses of force.”

Jenny Hopkins from the CPS said: “Following the death of Dalian Atkinson in Telford on 15 August 2016, the Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised a charge of murder against a West Mercia police constable. A second police constable, from the same force, has been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm. Mr Atkinson’s family has been informed”

She continued: “This decision was made following a careful review of all the evidence presented to us by the Independent Office for Police Conduct following an investigation.” The CPS said the officer charged with the murder of Atkinson had also been charged with manslaughter as an alternative offence.

Atkinson had a hugely successful career playing for Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town amongst others. He is most remembered by fans for his magnificent goal against Wimbledon in the 92/93 season.  

The family of Dalian Atkinson have pleaded with the public for “their privacy to be respected.”

The family’s solicitor, Kate Maynard further stated that they welcomed the decision to put the officers before a jury but “regrets that already more than three years have passed since Dalian died”.