Jurors have been discharged after failing to reach a verdict on the female police officer who allegedly assaulted Dalian Atkinson.

Pc Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith stood accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Birmingham Crown Court.

But the jury were unable to agree on a verdict.

Bettley-Smith denied assaulting the former Premier league star.

West Mercia Police colleague Pc Benjamin Monk, was on Wednesday convicted of the manslaughter of Mr Atkinson, 48, a former Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town striker, after a six-week trial.

He was told he will face an “inevitable” prison sentence.

Jurors deliberated for more than 21 hours at the court but told the trial judge today how, even if they were given more time, they would not be able to reach a verdict on a charge alleging Bettley-Smith used unlawful force

She allegedly attacked Mr Atkinson with a baton after he was Tasered to the ground.

The officer said she used necessary force to defend herself – but prosecutors claimed she exaggerated the threat posed by Mr Atkinson in a bid to “help” Monk’s attempts to justify excessive force.

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