A WEST Mercia Police constable, jailed for the manslaughter of former footballer Dalian Atkinson, has been sacked by the force after a fast tracked hearing.

Benjamin Monk, 43, was dismissed in his absence following a “special case” hearing, held in Worcester, chaired by West Mercia Police Chief Constable Anthony Bangham.

Monk was cleared of murder but unanimously convicted of manslaughter on June 23 after a nine-week trial heard he had kicked the 48-year-old in the head at least twice after he was tasered to the ground.

PC Monk was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment following the Birmingham Crown Court trial.

The disciplinary hearing was convened to consider an allegation of discreditable conduct, after the judge who jailed Monk ruled he had used unlawful force which “carried a high risk of really serious injury”.

The hearing heard PC Monk’s actions amounted to gross misconduct and it was concluded that the outcome should be dismissal without notice.

Deputy Chief Constable Julian Moss, said: “This is one of the most serious convictions UK policing has seen in a generation and the circumstances are tragic.

"PC Monk’s actions have fallen far below the standards we, and the public, would expect.

“In the hearing, PC Monk accepted that his conviction for manslaughter has discredited West Mercia Police and that the force had no alternative but to dismiss him without notice.

“The public should be able to trust police officers to act within the law when using force, and expect officers to be accountable for their actions.”

PC Monk will also be placed on the College of Policing Barred List and will not be employable within the UK Police Service.

DCC Julian Moss added: “I am sincerely sorry and extend my deepest condolences to Dalian’s family and friends.”